Crucial update in Matthew Perry death as doctor who supplied Friends star Ketamine to plead guilty

A major update in the criminal case involving the death of Matthew Perry has been announced after months of silence.

One of the two doctors that was charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death has agreed to plead guilty, it’s been revealed.

Perry, who was best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in his hot tub in Los Angeles in October 2023. He was just 54 at the time of his death, and had struggled with addiction throughout his adult life. An autopsy report revealed he died from the acute effects of ketamine.

After months of silence in the case, the Department of Justice said on Monday that Dr Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, reported New York Post.

As a result of his plea, Plasencia could face up to 40 years behind bars if prosecutors hand down the maximum sentence. He originally pleaded not guilty in August 2024.

Matthew Perry was found dead in his hot tub in October 2023. Picture: Getty/Supplied

Plasencia, who operated an urgent care clinic in Malibu, had originally been set to go on trial in August in the case.

His plea agreement follows Dr Mark Chavez, the other doctor charged in the case, who pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine in October 2024.

Perry had been receiving off-label doses of ketamine through his regular doctor to help treat depression but the former prime time star began looking for additional doses from Plasencia, who had asked Chavez to help him find the drug.

According to text messages shared with prosecutors from Chavez, Plasencia called Perry a “moron” and wondered how much he’d be willing to pay for the drugs.

Dr Salvador Plascencia faces up to 40 years in prison. Picture: Supplied

Californian physician Mark Chavez made a plea agreement last year after being charged. Picture: AFP

Plasencia personally injected Perry with the drug at his home and also in the carpark of Long Beach Aquarium. He also taught Perry’s assistant to administer the drug.

Perry paid Plasencia US$4,500 (A$5845) for individual doses of the drug, prompting Plasencia to ask Chavez to keep the supply coming so the pair of doctors could be Perry’s “go-to.”

During one instance when Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry at the actor’s home he was paid $12,000 for such a visit, according to the plea agreement.

Plasencia is accused of supplying the bulk of Perry’s ketamine in his final weeks. However, it’s not believed he supplied the dose that killed the actor.

Another defendant, Jasmine Sangha, known as “the ketamine queen” who prosecutors claim was a major ketamine dealer, is alleged to have been the once responsible for supplying the deadly dose.

She has pleaded not guilty, making her the only one of five individuals charged in Perry’s death who has not entered a plea agreement.

Originally published as Crucial update in Matthew Perry death as doctor who supplied Friends star Ketamine to plead guilty