Matthew Perry Death Case: Doctor Charged In FRIENDS' Star's Demise Expected To Plead Guilty

Matthew Perry Death: The untimely passing away of the FRIENDS star left the whole world in shock. On October 28, 2023, the actor was found dead in the bathtub of his residence. Initial reports suggested that the actor breathed his last from an accidental ketamine overdose. However, months later, it is now being reported that multiple arrests have been made in the matter. 

California Doctor expected to plead guilty

One of two California doctors who were among the five people charged in the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry is expected to plead guilty on Wednesday to a charge of illegally distributing the drug ketamine.

Dr. Mark Chavez has signed an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a single felony count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, a short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties.

Chavez is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles at 10 a.m. local time (1700 GMT) to enter his plea. At sentencing, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Another physician charged in the case, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has pleaded not guilty, as has co-defendant Jasveen Sangha, who authorities said was an illicit supplier of the drug and was known as the "ketamine queen." The pair are scheduled to go on trial in March.

Matthew Perry’s cause of death

Friends star Matthew Perry, the Emmy-nominated actor died at the age of 54 on October 28, 2023. The actor was found dead at his Los Angeles home. Perry’s body was found in a hot tub at his home. Postmortem blood tests showed “high levels” of ketamine in his system, which could have raised his blood pressure and heart rate and dulled his impulse to breathe.

In May 2024, seven months after Perry's death, authorities opened an investigation into how he received the supply of ketamine that killed him. Five suspects who have been arrested have been charged for their respective roles in supplying Perry with large amounts of ketamine.