On October 28, 2023, emergency responders found actor Matthew Perry unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. The Friends star, known for his role as Chandler Bing, had passed away after taking a high dose of ketamine. The Los Angeles medical examiner confirmed that his death was caused by the acute effects of the drug, triggering a federal investigation into how he obtained it.
Ketamine, first developed as an anaesthetic, has in recent years been used in mental health treatment for depression and anxiety. However, the drug must be administered under careful medical supervision, as misuse can lead to serious harm. In Perry’s case, the investigation revealed that he had received more than $50,000 worth of ketamine through unofficial and illegal sources shortly before his death. The findings exposed major flaws in how the drug is regulated, especially in California, where many private clinics have begun offering off-label ketamine treatments to desperate or vulnerable patients.
Battling Addiction and Seeking Help
Matthew Perry was open about his lifelong struggle with addiction. In interviews and in his 2022 memoir, he described years of fighting dependency on alcohol and prescription drugs. Despite ongoing efforts to stay sober, his recovery was often fragile.
In 2023, while dealing with depression, Perry turned to legal ketamine therapy, a treatment some doctors use when other antidepressants fail. Unfortunately, prosecutors later found that his legitimate treatment soon spiraled out of control. Some doctors who treated him ignored his substance use history, allowing him to access large amounts of the drug outside clinical guidelines. What began as a legitimate attempt to heal turned into another dangerous dependency, this time involving a substance meant to help patients like him.
Doctors and Dealers in the Chain
Two doctors, Dr. Salvador Plasencia of Calabasas and Dr. Mark Chavez of San Diego, were later charged for their roles in supplying Perry with the drug illegally. Court records show that both men abused their medical authority to feed Perry’s growing dependency.
Between late September and mid-October 2023, Plasencia provided Perry and his assistant with at least 20 vials of ketamine, far more than any safe medical regimen would allow. Text messages revealed that the doctors were motivated by profit, with Plasencia mocking the actor by writing to Chavez, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Both men eventually faced federal charges. In December 2024, Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined after admitting that he failed to protect his patient. Chavez received a lighter sentence of eight months of home detention, three years of supervised release, and 300 hours of community service. He cooperated with investigators, surrendered his medical license, and gave up his passport. Chavez’s cooperation helped prosecutors trace the illegal supply network, which involved multiple intermediaries moving the drug across Southern California.
The Human Toll and Aftermath
The investigation also implicated others in Perry’s social circle and drug network. His assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, admitted to helping obtain and administer the lethal dose at Perry’s request. He pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy resulting in death and faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced in January 2026.
Two others, middleman Erik Fleming and dealer Jasveen “Ketamine Queen” Sangha, were also charged. Sangha, known in Hollywood circles for her ability to supply the drug, faces up to 65 years in prison when sentenced in early 2026. Prosecutors described the network as one that thrived by taking advantage of celebrity connections and the growing demand for ketamine among the wealthy.
In court, Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, confronted the doctors who enabled her son’s relapse, expressing deep grief over how readily they put profit before care. Chavez later offered his condolences to the family, acknowledging the tragedy that had unfolded.
The case has since sparked a national conversation about ketamine’s growing popularity. While it can be a lifesaving treatment for severe depression, Perry’s death highlights the dangers when the drug is misused or misprescribed. Medical experts now warn that without stronger oversight, more lives could be lost.
Federal authorities have made it clear that the Perry case is a turning point. The U.S. Department of Justice has announced plans to tighten control over ketamine clinics and monitor prescribing practices more closely. Similar concerns are emerging abroad, with health officials in the United Kingdom and Australia warning of the same risks.
Matthew Perry’s story is both cautionary and heartbreaking, a reminder that even with fame and resources, addiction can still claim lives when safeguards fail. His death exposed serious flaws in how new drug treatments are being handled, raising an urgent call for reform in both medicine and law enforcement before another preventable tragedy occurs.
Sources:
“Doctor sentenced to house arrest for supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry.” Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec 2025.
“Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Matthew Langford Perry.” Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, 14 Dec 2023.
“Five Defendants, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Connection with Actor Matthew Perry’s Fatal Overdose.” U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California, 15 Aug 2024.
“California doctor sentenced to 30 months in Matthew Perry ketamine case.” BBC News, 3 Dec 2025.