Death of Matthew Perry: Doctor convicted for illegal distribution of ketamine
4 december 2025 в 19:13
The death of «Friends» star Matthew Perry continues to raise questions, especially following recent events involving Dr. Salvador Plasencia. After Plasencia was convicted for the illegal distribution of ketamine, his actions in the period leading up to Perry’s death have come under closer scrutiny.
Perry was found dead on October 28, 2023, lying face down in a jacuzzi at his home in Los Angeles. An autopsy determined that the cause of death was «acute effects of ketamine».
Although drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid addiction) were noted as contributing factors, the primary cause of death was the effects of ketamine, including respiratory depression and excessive stimulation of the cardiovascular system. The death was officially ruled an accident.
Plasencia managed a clinic in the Los Angeles area (Santa Monica/Calabasas) and supplied ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor’s death. By the time of his sentencing, Plasencia had surrendered his license to prescribe controlled substances, effectively ending his ability to legally practice medicine in this field.
While reports emphasize his offenses, they do not specify how many years he practiced before the criminal case—only that he was a licensed physician until recently.
Yes. On December 3, 2025, a federal court sentenced Dr. Salvador Plasencia to 30 months (2.5 years) in federal prison for the illegal distribution of ketamine to Perry prior to his fatal overdose. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four felony counts of ketamine distribution—a plea made as part of a broader investigation into Perry’s death. The court also imposed a fine and ordered supervised release after serving his prison sentence.
Although prosecutors acknowledged that Plasencia did not provide the exact dose that led to Perry’s death, the judge ruled that his actions «fuelled» the addiction and contributed to the chain of events leading to the overdose
Perry was found dead on October 28, 2023, lying face down in a jacuzzi at his home in Los Angeles. An autopsy determined that the cause of death was «acute effects of ketamine».
Although drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid addiction) were noted as contributing factors, the primary cause of death was the effects of ketamine, including respiratory depression and excessive stimulation of the cardiovascular system. The death was officially ruled an accident.
Plasencia managed a clinic in the Los Angeles area (Santa Monica/Calabasas) and supplied ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor’s death. By the time of his sentencing, Plasencia had surrendered his license to prescribe controlled substances, effectively ending his ability to legally practice medicine in this field.
While reports emphasize his offenses, they do not specify how many years he practiced before the criminal case—only that he was a licensed physician until recently.
Yes. On December 3, 2025, a federal court sentenced Dr. Salvador Plasencia to 30 months (2.5 years) in federal prison for the illegal distribution of ketamine to Perry prior to his fatal overdose. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four felony counts of ketamine distribution—a plea made as part of a broader investigation into Perry’s death. The court also imposed a fine and ordered supervised release after serving his prison sentence.
Although prosecutors acknowledged that Plasencia did not provide the exact dose that led to Perry’s death, the judge ruled that his actions «fuelled» the addiction and contributed to the chain of events leading to the overdose
© Artemenko Olga
