Doctor Pleads Guilty in Connection with Matthew Perry’s Death
Los Angeles (AP) – The doctor connected to the distribution of ketamine to actor Matthew Perry has pleaded guilty, following an agreement filed in court. Dr. Salvador Placencia admitted to distributing ketamine, specifically four counts, as recorded in a federal court document. In turn, prosecutors have agreed to drop three additional counts involving ketamine and two counts of forgery.
Federal prosecutors noted that this plea could lead to a significant sentence, reportedly the largest under the law, spanning 40 years. Placencia is anticipated to enter his formal guilty plea in upcoming weeks.
Interestingly, according to co-defendants, there were messages referring to Perry as “Silly” in a context that implied financial exploitation. The prosecutor’s focus on Placencia included allegations against him and a woman believed to be a ketamine dealer. Three others involved, including another doctor, also pleaded guilty last year, collaborating with prosecutors.
Perry’s passing, ruled an accidental overdose, occurred on October 28, 2023. Federal authorities stated that ketamine, commonly used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary substance involved in his death. Notably, Perry had been prescribed ketamine off-label for depression, a practice that is growing more widespread. However, he sought additional doses beyond what his doctors provided.
Placencia’s plea indicated he had illicitly supplied Perry with 100 mg of ketamine, along with a lozenge and syringe, just a month before Perry’s death. He also facilitated prescriptions through another doctor, Mark Chavez, who was reportedly named in his plea agreement.
Further communication revealed that Placencia had met Chavez to obtain additional vials of ketamine on the same day, conveniently located about halfway between the two doctors’ practices. Reports also indicate that after selling the drug to Perry for $4,500, Placencia expressed a desire to continue supplying him, considering it a “good” arrangement.
Placencia reportedly visited Perry’s residence twice, even injecting him with ketamine during those encounters. Additionally, he provided more ketamine through Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Meanwhile, Sanga, another alleged distributor of the drug, has maintained her innocence and is facing trial while remaining incarcerated.
One associate of Perry, Eric Fleming, indicated he facilitated communications regarding drug transactions but ultimately cooperated with the authorities, pleading guilty in the process. Notably, the plea agreement for placements lacks specific guarantees regarding sentencing.
Perry, who battled addiction for years, was best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the iconic show “Friends,” which aired from 1994 to 2004, solidifying his status as a major star during that time.
