U.S. prosecutors have charged five individuals, including two doctors, in connection with the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, who passed away at his Los Angeles home last year after a prolonged struggle with addiction.
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyway.”
The five charged include two doctors and Perry’s assistant. Estrada further noted, “In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being.”
One of the doctors, Salvador Plasencia, faces a potential 120-year sentence in federal prison.
Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic TV show “Friends,” was found unresponsive in his swimming pool in October of last year at the age of 54. His sudden death prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues worldwide.
An autopsy later revealed that Perry’s death was caused by “the acute effects of ketamine,” a controlled substance that the actor had reportedly been taking as part of a supervised therapy. While only small amounts of the drug were found in his stomach, high levels were detected in his bloodstream.
The investigation into how Perry, who had not undergone a supervised infusion session for several days, obtained the drug has led to these charges. Los Angeles police confirmed in May that they were probing the circumstances surrounding his death.
Ketamine, often used by doctors and veterinarians as an anesthetic, has also been explored as a treatment for depression. However, it is also used illicitly for its hallucinogenic effects.
Matthew Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing, a sarcastic 20-something resisting adulthood, made him a household name and a global star. Despite his success, Perry battled addiction to painkillers and alcohol throughout his life. In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry candidly discussed his struggles, revealing that he had gone through detox dozens of times.
His sudden passing last year shocked the world, with Hollywood A-listers, his co-stars, and fans expressing their grief. Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel on “Friends,” said in response to his death, “Oh boy, this one has cut deep.”
