Doctor Pleads Guilty in Connection with Matthew Perry's Tragic Death
In a significant development, Salvador Plasencia, a doctor implicated in the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry, has pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine to the star of the iconic television series 'Friends.' According to a plea agreement filed on Monday in a federal court in Los Angeles, Plasencia, often referred to as Dr. P, is one of five individuals who were indicted in connection with Perry’s death, which took place in October 2023.
This plea agreement could result in Plasencia facing more than 40 years in prison, a consequence of his participation in a conspiracy that exploited Perry’s struggles with addiction. Notably, three other defendants, including Doctor Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, who served as Perry’s personal assistant, and Erik Fleming, have also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges last year.
Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the Queen of Ketamine, is the only defendant who has yet to enter a guilty plea and is currently awaiting trial. The U.S. Department of Justice has explicitly charged the group as part of a criminal conspiracy for distributing significant quantities of ketamine, a substance that was found in Perry's system at the time of his death.
Authorities revealed that Perry had obtained the ketamine that ultimately contributed to his demise from Sangha, with the syringe being supplied by Dr. Plasencia. According to the allegations, Iwamasa injected the drug into Perry on the fateful day of October 28, 2023.
Federal prosecutors stated in their indictment that the defendants took advantage of Perry's addiction issues for their personal gain, enriching themselves while endangering the life of the beloved actor.
Matthew Perry, who was renowned for his role as Chandler Bing, had openly discussed his battles with addiction in his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," published in 2022. His untimely death serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the impact of addiction, both on individuals and those around them.
Related Sources: