Medical professional admits to providing the actor Matthew Perry with the drug ketamine.
In a Los Angeles court, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 43, pleaded guilty to four felony counts of ketamine distribution on July 23, 2025. This plea followed an agreement with prosecutors, who dropped three additional counts of ketamine distribution and two counts of falsifying records.
The guilty plea came in the wake of Matthew Perry's accidental overdose death on October 28, 2023, at his Los Angeles home. Perry's death was a result of ketamine, drowning, and buprenorphine effects.
According to the plea agreement, Dr. Plasencia provided 20 vials of ketamine and ketamine lozenges to Perry and his assistant over a two-week period prior to Perry's death.
Dr. Plasencia faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison along with a potential fine of $2 million. The specific sentencing date has not been announced yet, but it typically follows the guilty plea in the federal court system. As part of the plea agreement, Dr. Plasencia is required to relinquish his medical license within 30 to 45 days.
Prosecutors have emphasised that Dr. Plasencia did not supply the specific dose that led to Perry's death. However, he did continue to provide ketamine despite adverse reactions. Dr. Plasencia's lawyer, Karen L. Goldstein, highlighted that he is "profoundly remorseful" and hopes his case will serve as a warning to other medical professionals about the risks of ketamine distribution and the need for stronger oversight.
Three other defendants, including another doctor, agreed to plead guilty last year for cooperation. Dr. Plasencia is the fourth of the five people charged in connection with Perry's death to plead guilty. A co-defendant claimed that Plasencia referred to Perry as a "moron" in a text message.
This case underscores the dangers of unregulated access to prescription drugs and the potential consequences for those who enable such access. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for Matthew Perry and his family, as well as sending a strong message to medical professionals about the importance of ethical and responsible drug distribution.
Science news outlets are covering the case of Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a California physician who pleaded guilty to ketamine distribution in connection with Matthew Perry's accidental overdose death. Health-and-wellness and mental-health platforms are also discussing the case, emphasizing the dangers of unregulated access to prescription drugs. In pop-culture and entertainment, celebrities are offering condolences to Perry's family and friends, with some expressing concerns about the role of general-news in reporting on these sensitive issues. Crime-and-justice sections are closely following the legal proceedings, highlighting Dr. Plasencia's potential 40-year sentence and the ongoing investigation involving several other medical professionals.
