A Los Angeles doctor has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for illegally selling the anaesthetic ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the month before his death.
Dr Salvador Plasencia, 44, pleaded guilty to the charges on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at a hearing in a Los Angeles federal court. The judge found he had exploited the Friends star's addiction for financial gain.
The Exploitation of a Struggling Star
Matthew Perry, famed for his role as Chandler Bing, died at his Los Angeles home in October 2023 at the age of 54. The medical examiner later ruled that the acute effects of ketamine were the primary cause of death.
While Perry was legally prescribed ketamine as a treatment for depression, he sought larger quantities than his regular doctor would provide. He turned to Dr Plasencia, who admitted to knowing Perry was a struggling addict yet continued to supply him.
Damning evidence presented in court included text messages where Plasencia referred to Perry as a "moron" who could be exploited for money.
A Solemn Courtroom Sentencing
During the emotional sentencing hearing, the judge stated that while Plasencia did not provide the exact dose that killed Perry, his actions were culpable. "You and others helped Mr. Perry on the road to such an ending by continuing to feed his ketamine addiction," she told him. "You exploited Mr Perry’s addiction for your own profit."
Perry's mother and two half-sisters attended the hearing, delivering tearful victim impact statements. "The world mourns my brother," said Madeleine Morrison. "He was everyone’s favourite friend."
Plasencia's defence team painted a picture of a doctor who overcame poverty and was beloved by patients, calling his actions a "reckless" mistake. He was led from the courtroom in handcuffs as his mother wept.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Dr Salvador Plasencia is the first of five defendants to be sentenced after pleading guilty in connection with Matthew Perry's death. The other four individuals are scheduled for their own sentencing hearings in the coming months.
This case highlights the severe legal consequences for medical professionals who illegally divert controlled substances, particularly to individuals known to be vulnerable to addiction.
