Accused doctors surrender their licenses in connection with the tragic death of Matthew Perry

This development follows allegations linking the two doctors to Perry's premature death, a case that has attracted widespread attention.

Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 07:08 GMT-06:00

In a significant turn of events surrounding the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has confirmed that doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez have surrendered their drug prescribing licenses. This development follows allegations linking the two doctors to Perry's untimely death, a case that has attracted widespread attention.

Matthew Perry, popular for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in the cult series Friends, was found dead in the hot tub of his California residence on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles Coroner later determined the actor's death was an accident, citing “acute effects of ketamine” combined with drowning as the cause. The shocking news caused a huge stir in the entertainment industry and among fans worldwide, and led to a deeper investigation into the circumstances of Perry's death.

On August 15, the Justice Department announced that Plasencia and Chavez were among five people charged in connection with Perry's death. The charges against them are serious and include allegations of exploiting Perry's long-standing struggle with drug addiction. Salvador Plasencia, one of the main defendants, is accused of working with Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa in the weeks before Perry's death and distributing approximately 20 vials of ketamine to him. Plasencia reportedly received a staggering $55,000 in cash for the drugs.

Iwamasa has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine with death, a key development in the ongoing trial. To further complicate the case, Plasencia is also accused of exchanging messages with Chavez, a San Diego doctor, to discuss the financial details of their illegal transactions. One particularly incriminating message Plasencia allegedly sent read, “I wonder how much this idiot is going to pay,” suggesting a callous disregard for Perry's life.

If convicted, Plasencia faces up to 30 years in federal prison. He faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and falsifying documents related to the federal investigation. He has not yet entered a public plea, but was released on bail on August 16. Chavez, whose arraignment is scheduled for August 30, has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and could face up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

As the trial continues, Matthew Perry's friends, family and fans are left to cope with the loss of a beloved character whose portrayal by Chandler Bing brought joy to millions of people. Friends creator Marta Kauffman recently called on her fans to honor Perry's memory by supporting drug treatment centers and celebrating his work on the show, reminding the world to remember him for his humor and talent, not the tragic circumstances of his death.