'Matthew Perry's parents advocate for a long sentence for doctor who supplied ketamine to their only son'

The parents of Friends actor Matthew Perry have addressed a judge ahead of the sentencing of Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who supplied the actor with ketamine prior to his fatal overdose. In separate statements filed on Wednesday, they expressed confusion and outrage over Plasencias repeated provision of the dissociative anesthetic.

Perrys father and stepmother described the loss as "devastating," saying their familys "next patriarch" has been lost, and directly blamed Plasencia, whom they labeled a "jackal" violating the Hippocratic oath.

Plasencia is the first individual to face sentencing in connection with Perrys 2023 death, having pleaded guilty last summer to four counts of distributing ketamine. While the charges carry up to 40 years in prison, prosecutors have requested a three-year sentence.

Both victim impact statements were submitted prior to the sentencing, scheduled for around 2:00 p.m. ET. Plasencia was among five people charged in a federal investigation into how Perry, 54, obtained ketamine through an underground network in Hollywood, all of whom have since pleaded guilty.

Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in his Los Angeles hot tub in October 2023 after years of battling depression and substance abuse.

Matthews recovery relied on you saying NO, wrote his father, John, and stepmother, Debbie. Your motives? I cannot imagine. A doctor whose life is meant to help people?

In their statement, Perrys mother and stepfather, Suzanne and Keith Morrison, highlighted messages from Plasencia in court records, where he referred to Perry as a "moron" and questioned how much he would pay for drugs.

They continued: It is sometimes easier to comprehend when someone commits a terrible act in a moment of impulse or poor judgment. But a doctor? Someone entrusted with respect and care? They emphasized that Matthew was striving to recover and planned a career comeback. He wanted, needed, deserved a third act. And then, those jackals interfered.

Ketamine, with hallucinogenic properties, is intended for controlled medical use. Perry had been using prescribed doses for depression but began seeking amounts beyond his prescription. Federal investigation documents show this led him to multiple doctors and a woman labeled the "Ketamine Queen," who supplied large quantities from her home in Los Angeles, described as a "drug-selling emporium."

Prosecutors allege that Plasencia, also known as "Dr. P," administered ketamine to Perry at his home and a Long Beach aquarium parking lot. He allegedly taught Perrys assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, how to inject the drug and provided additional vials for home use. Between September 30 and October 12, 2023, Plasencia sold twenty 5ml (100mg/ml) ketamine vials, ketamine lozenges, and syringes to Perry and Iwamasa.

Authorities contend that Plasencia and others exploited Perrys addiction for personal gain.

Author: Jackson Miller