Matthew Perry's Parents Express Emotions in Statements for Doctor's Sentencing: 'Most Responsible of All'

Matthew Perrys parents have opened up about their sorrow in new victim impact statements filed for the upcoming sentencing of Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of five individuals convicted in connection with Perrys fatal ketamine overdose in 2023.

In a letter, Suzanne and Keith Morrison described their grief as immeasurable: How do you measure grief? Can you possibly provide any rational accounting? The bottom falling out? Yes, that. A life so entwined with ours, held together with anything to keep that terrible thing from taking our first-born son. They condemned those who contributed to Perrys death, calling them greedy jackals whose actions rendered all their efforts futile.

The Morrisions described their pain as a deep well and recalled that Suzanne had warned Keith that no one could come between her and her son. They said Plasencia, among others Perry trusted, ultimately caused immense harm and labeled him among the most culpable of all.

Plasencia admitted in his plea agreement to injecting Perry with liquid ketamine in the weeks prior to his death, including an instance in a car near the Long Beach Aquarium. He also admitted selling vials of ketamine for home use without a legitimate medical purpose.

His story moved so many people, the parents continued, recalling momentos left at Perrys grave. They emphasized that Perry deserved a third act in life, which was cruelly cut short. They also criticized Plasencia for secretly violating his medical duties and exploiting Perrys vulnerability for profit.

John and Debby Perry, Matthews father and stepmother, echoed the devastation, describing him as a warm, loving man who was central to their family. They urged the court to extend Plasencias sentence beyond the mandatory minimum to reflect the gravity of his actions and the suffering caused.

Plasencia, 43, pleaded guilty in July to four counts of ketamine distribution. The charges carry a maximum federal sentence of 40 years. He was arrested alongside Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the Ketamine Queen of North Hollywood, who pleaded guilty in September and is set to be sentenced on Dec. 10.

As part of his plea deal, prosecutors noted that the ketamine found in Perrys system at the time of his death was not supplied by Plasencia. Perry was found deceased in his Pacific Palisades home from the acute effects of ketamine. Plasencias lawyer stated that he is profoundly remorseful and intends to surrender his medical license, hoping the case will lead to stricter oversight in at-home ketamine treatment.

Federal authorities had identified Plasencia and Sangha as lead defendants. Other individuals involved, including Perrys assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, Dr. Mark Chavez, and Erik Fleming, had previously agreed to plea deals. Perry had reportedly become addicted to intravenous ketamine while receiving treatment for depression and anxiety, turning to these suppliers when his clinic would not increase his dosage.

Prosecutors stated that Plasencia and Chavez provided approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry for $55,000 during the final weeks of his life. Plasencia allegedly texted Chavez: I wonder how much this moron will pay[Lets] find out, before administering ketamine to Perry at his home and leaving vials for Iwamasa to deliver, despite his lack of medical training.

Sentencing for the other defendants is scheduled for December and January, with Chavez set for Dec. 17, Fleming on Jan. 7, and Iwamasa on Jan. 14.

Author: Sophia Brooks