Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry's ketamine overdose tragedy

Matthew Perry died in October of last year. The investigation determined that the direct cause of death was an overdose of ketamine. One of the doctors admitted guilt in this mysterious case. What crime did he commit, and what consequences does he face?

Matthew Perry regularly took ketamine, which was supposed to help him fight depression. Initially, his sudden death did not arouse suspicion, but some time later, prosecutors, with the help of investigators, revealed that a crime might have occurred.

The star of "Friends" was supposed to have finished his ketamine therapy two weeks before his death. As a result, to continue taking the substance, he had to find another way to obtain it. His long-time assistant was tasked with this mission. On 28 October, he administered a lethal dose to his boss.

The network of doctors who proved "helpful" in obtaining ketamine consisted of those who issued fake prescriptions, sometimes without the patient's knowledge. One of the accused is Dr Mark Chavez. According to the Associated Press, he appeared in the federal court in Roybal, Los Angeles, and admitted to the charge against him.

Mark Chavez stated that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute ketamine illegally. He sold the drug to Dr Salvador Placensia, who then as if everything were normal, prescribed it to Matthew Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. This assistant administered it to the deceased actor.

The doctor, because of whom this unfortunate chain of events started, faces up to 10 years in prison. The judge, however, noted that there might be a possibility to avoid prison under certain conditions. One of these conditions is that Mark Chavez surrenders his medical license.

The doctor's lawyer has not yet decided on this matter. In a conversation with the media, he emphasised that his client is cooperating with law enforcement and is aware of his actions' consequences.

He is doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and he's incredibly remorseful—he stated, while also sharing his sorrow over the death of the 54-year-old.

Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his residence in Los Angeles. He was buried a few days later at Forest Lawn Cemetery in the same city. Only his closest family and actors from the "Friends" series—Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Courteney Cox—attended his farewell ceremony.