After the death of Matthew Perry: Accused doctor pleads guilty

A doctor accused of providing Matthew Perry (1969-2023) with the painkiller and anesthetic ketamine shortly before his death apparently intends to plead guilty. According to US media reports, Dr. Salvador Plasencia has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, according to a statement from the prosecution. He faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

In addition to Plasencia, a woman accused of trafficking ketamine is also among the defendants. Three other defendants, including another doctor, had previously cooperated with authorities. Plasencia's trial was scheduled to begin in August. The accused woman is also scheduled to go to trial in August. She has pleaded not guilty, making her the only one of the five defendants charged in connection with Perry's death who has not reached a plea agreement with authorities.

"Friends" star Matthew Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles estate in October 2023. The coroner determined that ketamine was responsible for the actor's death. He had been taking the drug to treat depression but apparently sought more ketamine than his doctor was willing to give him. He reportedly came across Plasencia about a month before his death. The doctor allegedly asked another doctor to obtain the drug for him, according to court documents, according to US media reports.

After selling the drug to Perry, Plasencia allegedly asked his colleague if he could continue supplying him with it so they could become Perry's "point of contact," according to prosecutors.

Matthew Perry struggled with addiction for years, beginning with his time on "Friends," when the actor became a major star as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004.

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