Following the demise of Matthew Perry, a medical professional admitted guilt.
In a shocking turn of events, a California doctor, aged 43, has admitted to providing actor Matthew Perry with the anesthetic ketamine. The plea was made on July 23, 2025, and the doctor now faces up to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $2 million, along with surrendering his medical license within 30 to 45 days.
The guilty plea makes the doctor the fourth person charged in the case to admit their involvement. Matthew Perry, aged 54, was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. Five individuals have been charged in connection with Perry's death, but no further details about their charges were provided.
The investigation revealed that the doctor supplied ketamine to Perry through Perry's live-in assistant, despite knowing Perry's history of addiction. Ketamine was a factor in Perry’s death, but the ketamine that ultimately caused his death did not come from the doctor, according to prosecutors.
Prior to his death, Perry had spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction. He had undergone ketamine therapy under medical supervision for depression and anxiety. However, it was discovered that Perry obtained ketamine on the black market for his fatal overdose.
The doctor provided ketamine to Perry between September 30 and October 12, 2023, and injected it on several occasions, including at Perry's home and in his car on a public parking lot. In exchange for the guilty plea, other charges were dropped, suggesting a lighter sentence is expected. Sentences for the individuals who pleaded guilty are still pending.
The doctor's attorney stated that he is "deeply remorseful" about his treatment decisions. The guilty plea has raised concerns about the regulation and distribution of ketamine, particularly in non-clinical settings. Ketamine, which has been used as a reliable anesthetic for decades, can also be used illegally as a party drug.
The doctor's sentencing is scheduled for December. Meanwhile, a notorious drug supplier known as the "Ketamine Queen" pleaded not guilty and is set to go to trial in mid-August. The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of ketamine use in addiction and mental health treatments outside traditional medical supervision.
- The doctor's attorney stated that he is "deeply remorseful" about his treatment decisions, which involve the provision of ketamine to actor Matthew Perry.
- The guilty plea of the doctor has raised concerns about the regulation and distribution of ketamine, particularly in non-clinical settings, where it can be misused as a party drug.
- In the case of Perry's death, the ketamine that ultimately caused it was obtained on the black market, not from the doctor who pleaded guilty.
- The investigation into Perry's death also revealed that the doctor supplied ketamine to Perry despite knowing about his history of addiction, and the doctor's actions were a factor in Perry’s death.
