Doctor pleads guilty in connection with Matthew Perry's tragic overdose death

In a significant development in the case surrounding the drug-related death of beloved actor Matthew Perry, Dr. Mark Chavez has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in a Los Angeles court. The 54-year-old physician admitted to conspiring to distribute ketamine, a powerful surgical anesthetic linked to Perry’s untimely demise.

Chavez operated a ketamine clinic and was found to have sold ketamine lozenges to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who then provided the substance to Perry, best known for his role in the iconic sitcom *Friends*. Perry was discovered unresponsive in his backyard jacuzzi in October 2023, with a post-mortem examination revealing a high concentration of ketamine in his system and confirming that the drug’s “acute effects” were the cause of death.

In his plea agreement, Chavez acknowledged that he obtained ketamine from both his clinic and a wholesale distributor through fraudulent prescriptions. Prosecutors revealed that Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, collaborated with the two doctors to supply the actor with over $50,000 worth of ketamine in the weeks leading up to his death. Text messages exchanged between the doctors illustrated their discussions about pricing the drug for Perry, with one message stating: “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”

Chavez’s plea enables him to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for his cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Although he could face up to 10 years in prison, his attorney emphasized, “He has accepted responsibility. He is cooperating.”

As part of his plea, Chavez has surrendered his passport and agreed to relinquish his medical license immediately. He remains free on bail until his sentencing, scheduled for April 2, 2025. The case has sparked widespread concern regarding the distribution of controlled substances and the pressures faced by high-profile individuals in the entertainment industry.