A California doctor pleaded guilty on Wednesday to supplying actor Matthew Perry with ketamine before his death in 2023.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Perry, aged 54, was discovered deceased in a hot tub at his residence in Pacific Palisades. The cause of death was attributed to acute ketamine effects, which led to the arrest of Salvador Plasencia last August, along with another doctor who confessed guilt in October, as noted by CrimeOnline.
Reports indicate that Perry was receiving ketamine infusion therapy as a treatment for anxiety and depression, yet he was also acquiring the drug unlawfully outside of medical environments.
The investigation concluded that Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, administered the lethal ketamine dose, which was sourced from Jasveen Sangha. Iwamasa admitted his guilt, while Sangha, maintaining innocence, is set to face trial in August.
Iwamasa allegedly told authorities that Perry met Plasencia, an urgent care doctor, weeks before his death. Iwamasa said Perry paid Plasencia as much as $55,000 for ketamine in the month leading up to his death, according to NBC.
Plasenscia allegedly told a patient about how Perry was very deep in his addiction. He was also accused of talking to another doctor, Mark Chavez, about how much money they could get from the actor.
“I wonder how much this moron will pay. Lets find out,” Plasencia reportedly wrote to Chavez, who pleaded guilty in October to providing ketamine to Perry.
Plasenscia will remain free on bail until his December 3 sentencing hearing. As part of a plea deal, he agreed to surrender his medical license within the next 30 to 45 days, The Los Angeles Times reported.
[Feature Photo: Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File]
