by: The Washington Eye
Nearly eight months after the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry, fresh developments have emerged in the investigation, with a key doctor now agreeing to plead guilty in the ketamine overdose case that shocked Hollywood and Perry’s global fanbase. Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends, was found unresponsive in his hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later confirmed that the 54-year-old star died due to the “acute effects of ketamine,” with drowning listed as the secondary cause. Other substances, including buprenorphine and evidence of heart disease, were also noted as contributing factors.
In the months that followed, a federal investigation revealed that Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy as part of his mental health treatment, aimed at combating depression and anxiety. However, investigators say he began sourcing ketamine outside the legal framework when his regular doctor refused to escalate the dosage. Prosecutors say Perry was introduced to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a physician affiliated with Malibu Canyon Urgent Care, who allegedly provided the actor with multiple vials of ketamine over several visits. These drugs were administered both by Dr. Plasencia himself and Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who was trained by the doctor to inject the substance at home.
Just two weeks before his death, on October 12, Plasencia administered a strong dose of ketamine to Perry that caused his blood pressure and pulse to spike alarmingly. Despite this concerning reaction, the doctor left additional vials of the drug in Perry’s home, allegedly instructing Iwamasa to continue the injections. On October 28, 2023, Perry was discovered unconscious and later pronounced dead. The autopsy revealed that ketamine played a central role in the fatal overdose, and investigators traced the drugs back to multiple sources.
Federal prosecutors eventually charged five individuals connected to Perry’s death: Dr. Plasencia; Dr. Mark Chavez; Kenneth Iwamasa; Erik Fleming, a supplier; and Jasveen Sangha, also known as the “Ketamine Queen,” who allegedly managed a black-market supply network. In August 2024, Iwamasa and Fleming both pleaded guilty to conspiracy and drug distribution charges. Fleming was specifically accused of providing the exact dose that caused Perry’s death. In October 2024, Dr. Mark Chavez also pleaded guilty for his role in the unauthorized supply chain.
Most recently, on June 16, 2025, Dr. Salvador Plasencia agreed to plead guilty to four felony counts of ketamine distribution. As part of the plea agreement, Plasencia admitted that he failed to conduct proper medical evaluations, falsified patient records, and charged excessive amounts—up to \$2,000 per vial—for the drug. While the charges carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison, legal experts suggest his sentence could be significantly reduced, potentially ranging from 15 to 21 months under the terms of the plea deal. The sentencing phase is expected to take place in the coming months.
The only remaining defendant who has not entered a guilty plea is Jasveen Sangha, who has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is scheduled to begin in August 2025 and is expected to further unravel the dark web of drug misuse, celebrity privilege, and lax oversight that led to Perry’s untimely death.
Matthew Perry had been open about his struggles with substance abuse and mental health. In 2022, he released a memoir that candidly discussed his journey through addiction and recovery. His death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and reignited discussions about the dangers of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic increasingly used in mental health therapy. Following his passing, the Matthew Perry Foundation was established to help others battling addiction.
This tragic case has become a cautionary tale about the misuse of medical treatments and the blurred lines between legal therapy and dangerous experimentation. It has prompted renewed calls for regulatory reform in how ketamine is prescribed and administered, especially in private settings without adequate oversight. As the legal proceedings move forward and sentencing dates approach, Perry’s legacy as both an actor and an advocate for recovery continues to resonate with millions worldwide.
