Matthew Perry doctor 'trying his best to do right thing' as he pleads guilty over star's overdose

Dr Mark Chavez plead guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine in the case connected to the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry, aged 54, in October last year

One of two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death has pleaded guilty in a federal court after reaching a deal with prosecutors and his lawyer has reiterated that he feels "remorse" over the actor's death.

Friends star Matthew was found dead, aged 54, at his home in California in October last year and his death was attributed to "the acute effects of ketamine". He's said to have been seeking treatment for depression and anxiety when he became addicted to intravenous ketamine. It was announced in August that five people had been charged in connection with his death.

Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, a doctor from San Diego, formally admitted conspiring to distribute the surgical anaesthetic ketamine during a change-of-plea hearing on Wednesday, as reported by PA. He is the third person to accept charges following Matthew's death.

US District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett scheduled a sentence hearing for April 2, 2025, and Chavez is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Chavez, who is free on a $50,000 (£37,600) bond, exited the courtroom with his lawyer Matthew Binninger.

In comments made to reporters outside federal court in Los Angeles, Mr Binninger said that Chavez had shown remorse for his actions. He said: "[Chavez has] accepted responsibility, plead guilty, admitted a lot of facts on record, he's cooperating with the government, he has already started the process of surrendering his medical licence. He is taking this incredibly seriously."

Mr Binninger previously told Rolling Stone after a hearing on August 30, which reportedly saw Chavez agree to plead guilty at a future hearing: "He's incredibly remorseful. Someone passed away. It doesn't need to be a celebrity for him to feel remorse about that. He's incredibly remorseful, and he's trying his best to the do the right thing."

He reiterated the sentiment to the same outlet following the latest court appearance, saying in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter: "He feels incredible remorse for what happened in this case. At the end of the day, someone died y'know and he feels terrible about that and so wanted to do the right thing to the extent that he can. He's accepted responsibility for his offense. He's cooperating with the government. He has surrendered his medical licence and he will be making a public statement once this case goes to sentencing."

In his plea agreement, Chavez admitted to selling ketamine to another doctor, Salvador Plasencia, from Santa Monica, having diverted it from his former ketamine clinic. In total, he transferred 22 viles of liquid ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges to Plasencia who allegedly sold them to Matthew, the court heard.

Plasencia is set to face a trial on March 4 next year, after allegedly using Matthew's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa to distribute ketamine to the actor from September to October last year for $55,000 (£43,000). Matthew had been seeking treatment for depression and anxiety when he became addicted to intravenous ketamine last autumn.

According to the initial indictment, Plasencia is said to have conspired with fellow doctor Chavez to supply Perry with large amounts of ketamine, writing in a message: "I wonder how much this moron will pay" and "let's find out".

Plasencia will stand trial alongside Jasveen Sangha - an alleged drug dealer named by authorities as "the ketamine queen" - who is said to have sold ketamine to Matthew for $11,000 (£8,553) in cash. The ketamine supplied by Sangha was ultimately the dose that took Matthew's life, a Drug Enforcement Administrator previously claimed.

Plasencia is facing a maximum sentence of 120 years in federal prison, while Sangha is facing life imprisonment. During a previous court appearance, Plasencia denied conspiracy to distribute ketamine; seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two charges related to allegations he falsified documents during the investigation into Matthew's death.

Sangha also plead not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine; maintaining a drug-involved premises; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is currently on release after posting a 100,000 dollar (£78,000) bond, while a judge denied bond for Sangha.

Matthew, who played Chandler Bing in hit US sitcom Friends, died after receiving several injections of ketamine from his live-in assistant Iwamasa. Iwamasa plead guilty on August 7 to conspiring to distribute ketamine causing death – admitting to "repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training". His sentencing has been set for November 6.

During the last few weeks of his life, Matthew "turned to street dealer" Erik Fleming who is said to have sourced ketamine from Sangha. Fleming pleaded guilty on August 8 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. He is set to be sentenced on October 30.

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