Matthew Perry’s final weeks involved doctor-sold drugs

Perry’s Final Weeks and Drug Use

Matthew Perry got ketamine in the weeks before he died in October 2023. A doctor gave it to him illegally. This happened while Perry was still battling addiction. He was found in his hot tub at home in Los Angeles.

The official cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning and heart disease were also listed as factors. Ketamine is usually used for surgery, but it can be dangerous when used without a doctor’s care.

Doctor Gave Ketamine Illegally

The doctor who gave Perry the drug was Salvador Plasencia. He supplied Perry with 20 vials of ketamine, lozenges, and syringes. This happened about a month before Perry died.

Plasencia sold the drugs for $4,500. He was not treating Perry for any medical condition. He was connected to Perry through another patient. He later admitted in court that he gave the drugs illegally. These events became part of a bigger investigation into Perry’s death.

Plasencia Entered a Guilty Plea

Dr. Plasencia first said he was not guilty but later changed his plea in July 2025. He accepted one count of drug distribution as part of a deal. In exchange, prosecutors dropped three other drug charges and two for falsifying records.

Plasencia could face up to 40 years in prison. He has been out on bond since his arrest in August 2024 and will be sentenced on December 3. He stayed silent while leaving the court after the hearing.

Lawyer Shared His Regrets

After the court hearing, Plasencia’s lawyer said he was deeply sorry. She said he knew Perry was vulnerable and should have protected him. He also plans to give up his medical license.

He wants other doctors to learn from his case. Plasencia hopes there will be stronger rules for at-home ketamine treatments. He said he was not treating Perry at the time of death, but he accepted blame for giving him the drug.

Messages Showed Exploitation

Messages between Plasencia and another doctor showed he wanted money from Perry. In one text, he said, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”

Plasencia also asked Dr. Mark Chavez if he could keep supplying Perry with ketamine. They hoped to become Perry’s main source. This showed they were more focused on profit than safety. Chávez and others became part of the legal case as the investigation continued.

Chavez Pleaded Guilty Too

Dr. Mark Chavez admitted he helped distribute ketamine. He pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute the drug. He worked with Plasencia to keep selling Perry ketamine.

Chavez became a key co-defendant. Like others, he agreed to help investigators in exchange for a lighter punishment. His guilty plea helped build the case against bigger targets connected to Perry’s overdose.

Perry’s Assistant Was Involved

Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, also pleaded guilty. He found Perry’s body in the hot tub and called emergency services. Before that, Iwamasa helped Perry get ketamine from illegal sources.

He joined Chavez and others in making a deal with prosecutors. These deals were used to reach people higher up in the hierarchy. Iwamasa has not yet been sentenced, but gave key information to help the case.

Another Friend Was Charged

Erik Fleming, a friend of Perry’s, also admitted guilt. He helped connect Perry to people selling ketamine. Fleming agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

Like Iwamasa and Chavez, he got a lighter charge by working with prosecutors. All three admitted to helping Perry get drugs, even knowing he struggled with addiction. This brought more attention to the people who provided the fatal dose.

One Accused Person Denied Charges

Jasveen Sangha was called the “Ketamine Queen” by prosecutors. She has not pleaded guilty and said she never met Perry.She is accused of selling him the ketamine that led to his death.

Her trial is scheduled for August 2025. She hired well-known lawyer Mark Geragos to defend her. Her case is the last major part of the investigation. Other defendants helped build the case against her.

Legal Ketamine Use Turned Risky

Before he got illegal ketamine, Perry used it through his regular doctor. He was taking it to treat depression, which is a common off-label use. When the doctor limited the amount, Perry looked elsewhere.

That is when he found new suppliers. These sources gave him more ketamine than was safe. The legal treatment turned into dangerous misuse. This played a major part in his final weeks and led to his overdose.

Perry’s Memoir Showed His Pain

In his book Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry said he battled addiction for decades. He wrote about going to rehab 15 times. He spent around $9 million trying to get better.

He once took 50 Vicodin pills a day and had a burst colon. He stayed sober for two years during Friends and even got an Emmy nomination. But his battle with drugs always returned, especially when he felt lonely.

Loneliness Made Things Worse

Perry said he was scared to be alone at night. He felt like something outside of him would fix his problems. That belief led to more drug use. He said he wasn’t afraid to speak in front of crowds but feared being alone on his couch.

This fear made his addiction stronger. He wanted connection but often pushed people away. The pain from loneliness stayed with him for most of his life.

He Regretted Lost Relationships

Perry wrote that he missed chances to start a family. He dated women he could have married and had kids with, but addiction ruined those chances.

He wrote about a girlfriend who later had a baby. After she told him, he cried alone. He said he felt like he had no one to share his life with. He lived in a big house but only had a nurse, gardener, and sober companion around.

Family Created Foundation for Help

After his death, Perry’s family started the Matthew Perry Foundation. It helps people with addiction, which was something Perry cared about deeply.

His stepfather, Keith Morrison, said Perry had been texting family often and wanted to help others before he died. Perry hoped people would speak up and ask for help. He shared his story so others wouldn’t feel ashamed to talk about their struggles with drugs.

Maggie Wheeler Felt a Sign

Perry’s Friends co-star Maggie Wheeler believed she saw a sign after he died. She was in a neighbor’s pool, thinking about Perry and her brother.

She said two hawks flew overhead. One circled back to get the other, and they flew past her together. She felt it was a message from Perry and her brother, who both struggled with addiction. The moment gave her comfort after Perry’s sudden passing.

A touching personal detail from Perry recently surfaced. Read more in Matthew Perry’s hidden note in the cookie jar gift.

Ione Skye Shared Final Memory

Actress Ione Skye, who once dated Perry, shared a message he sent before he died. He said a song reminded him of her beauty. They had reconnected years after dating and saw each other a couple of times.

Skye said Perry seemed distant during their last meeting. She remembered his charm but also noticed his struggles. His final text showed that he still cared deeply, even while facing his personal battles.

Matthew Perry’s story continues to resonate after his death. Take a deeper look at Matthew Perry: A life consumed by addiction & fame.

What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking twist in Matthew Perry’s final days? Drop your comments below!

Read More From This Brand:

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• Matthew McConaughey on Why He Left Hollywood
• Matthew Perry’s Mom Recalls Their Final Conversation

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.