Justice for Matthew Perry: Doctor Sentenced in Ketamine Distribution Case

Breaking Development in Matthew Perry’s Death Investigation

The tragic death of Matthew Perry, the beloved ‘Friends’ star, has taken a significant legal turn this week. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the doctor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before his overdose death in 2023, was sentenced on 3rd December 2025 to 30 months in federal prison. This marks the first sentencing among the five individuals convicted in connection with Perry’s death, bringing a measure of accountability to those who exploited the actor’s addiction.

The Case Against Dr. Plasencia

Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to four counts of ketamine distribution, though he did not provide the fatal dose. During the sentencing, Plasencia apologised to Perry’s family before the sentence was read in a Los Angeles federal court, admitting he had violated his oath to care for the actor. Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett emphasised that Plasencia didn’t provide the ketamine that killed Perry, but told him he helped feed Perry’s ketamine addiction and exploited the actor’s addiction for profit.

The case revealed disturbing details about how medical professionals can abuse their positions. In text messages, Plasencia had discussed Perry’s request for ketamine, saying ‘I wonder how much this moron will pay’, demonstrating a callous disregard for his patient’s wellbeing.

Family’s Emotional Impact Statements

Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, addressed the doctor directly during her victim impact statement, and his half-sister, Madeline Morrison, spoke about the family’s grief, saying that Plasencia had exploited Perry’s greatest fear and biggest weakness. The family’s pain was palpable as they sought justice for their loved one.

Wider Legal Implications

Four other defendants who were also involved in Perry’s death have yet to be sentenced. Dr. Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, Erik Fleming, and Jasveen Sangha (allegedly known as ‘The Ketamine Queen’) have all pleaded guilty and are scheduled for sentencing between January and February 2026, facing sentences ranging from 25 to 65 years in prison.

Significance for Addiction and Medical Ethics

Matthew Perry, one of two doctors convicted of providing the actor with ketamine, died in October 2023 at the age of 54, discovered unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home, with an autopsy revealing he died from the acute effects of ketamine. This case highlights the critical importance of medical ethics and the devastating consequences when healthcare professionals exploit vulnerable patients struggling with addiction. For readers, this serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger safeguards in prescription practices and the ongoing battle against substance abuse in society.