Matthew Perry's passing leads to a guilty plea from the physician.
In a significant development, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a California-based doctor, has pleaded guilty to supplying the anesthetic ketamine to actor Matthew Perry, who passed away in October 2023. The plea was made in federal court in Los Angeles on July 23, 2025.
Plasencia admitted to four counts of illegally distributing ketamine to Perry through his assistant, a key factor in the actor's demise. It is important to note that Plasencia was not Perry's treating physician at the time of his death but acknowledged his role in supplying the drug.
The guilty plea has led to the dropping of other charges, suggesting a lighter sentence is expected. Plasencia has expressed remorse and hopes his case will lead to stricter oversight and clearer protocols, particularly for the at-home ketamine industry. As part of the plea deal, Plasencia agreed to surrender his medical license within 30 to 45 days and faces up to 40 years in prison along with $2 million in fines.
The case has brought to light concerns about ketamine's use in psychiatric treatment, especially its potential risks such as addiction and health damage stemming from insufficient regulation. Perry had been undergoing ketamine treatment for depression but sought ketamine outside legal means when his doctor refused larger doses, indicating possible misuse and addiction.
Three individuals, including another doctor, an assistant, and a friend of Perry's, pleaded guilty in court last year. The notorious drug dealer known as the "Ketamine Queen" is one of the five individuals facing allegations. Sentencing for the doctor is set for December, while the trial for the "Ketamine Queen" is scheduled for mid-August.
It is important to note that ketamine can be used to treat certain patients with therapy-resistant depression under specific conditions. However, the ketamine that ultimately caused Perry's death did not come from the guilty doctor, according to prosecutors. Perry obtained ketamine on the black market, a reminder of the dangers of illegal drug use.
Prior to his death, Perry had publicly spoken about his struggles with addiction. His tragic passing serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against substance abuse and the need for better regulation in the medical industry.
In summary, the investigation into Matthew Perry's death has resulted in a guilty plea from a key medical supplier of ketamine, with ongoing legal consequences and broader calls for better regulation in ketamine therapy. This case underscores the importance of adhering to medical protocols and the risks associated with illegal drug use.
Science and health-and-wellness were central themes in the case of Matthew Perry's tragic death, as his demise was linked to the unregulated use of ketamine, a drug primarily used in therapy-resistant depression treatment under specific conditions. The guilty plea of Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who illegally supplied ketamine to Perry, has led to calls for stricter oversight and clearer protocols within the at-home ketamine industry, as mental-health issues are often treated with therapies-and-treatments that require close monitoring to prevent abuse and potential health damage.
Meanwhile, in the realm of crime-and-justice, Plasencia faced serious consequences for his actions, agreeing to surrender his medical license and facing up to 40 years in prison along with fines. This case serves as a general-news story that highlights the ongoing battle against substance abuse and the need for better regulation within the medical industry to protect patients from the dangers of illegal drug use.
Despite Perry's public discussions about his struggles with addiction, his tragic passing remains a somber reminder of the persistent challenges faced by those battling substance abuse and the need for continued efforts in providing adequate support and treatment.
