Matthew Perry death: Doctor who helped supply ketamine pleads guilty
Dr. Mark Chavez, a San Diego-based physician, has pleaded guilty to a felony count of conspiring to distribute ketamine. This plea is part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of F.R.I.E.N.D.S star Matthew Perry (54) due to a drug overdose. Chavez is the third individual to admit guilt in this case as prosecutors continue their pursuit against two primary suspects believed to be directly responsible for Perry's demise.
Chavez to assist in the prosecution of primary suspects
Chavez has agreed to cooperate with the US Attorney's Office in their case against Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, the main suspects. Plasencia reportedly directly handed over ketamine to Perry, while Sangha, who's dubbed the "ketamine queen" of Los Angeles, is accused of supplying the fatal doses that resulted in Perry's death last year. Moreover, Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, allegedly worked with the doctors to provide Perry with over $50,000 (£38,000) of ketamine in the weeks before his death.
Chavez admitted to supplying ketamine through fraudulent means
During the court hearing, Chavez admitted to meeting Plasencia several times between San Diego and Los Angeles to deliver ketamine obtained through fraudulent prescriptions. He confessed to handing over 22 5-milliliter vials of ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges in total. When Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett asked him if he was pleading guilty because he did what the prosecutors described, Chavez replied, "Yes, your honor."
Chavez's sentencing scheduled for April 2025
Chavez, who's currently out on bond, is gearing up for his sentencing on April 2, 2025. He's already handed over his passport and agreed to give up his medical license as part of the court's conditions. Even though he could face a maximum of 10 years behind bars, experts believe he might get a much lighter sentence thanks to his guilty plea and cooperation with the prosecutors.
Perry's death and the legal use of ketamine
Perry was discovered dead by his assistant on October 28, 2023. He was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office revealed that he died from "acute effects of ketamine." About a month before he passed away, Perry asked for more ketamine than his regular doctor would give him, which led him to Plasencia, who allegedly asked Chavez to get the drug for him.
