Doctor Admits Guilt Over Illegal Substances Found in Swimming Pool
In a shocking turn of events, five individuals, including a doctor, have been charged in relation to the death of actor Matthew Perry, who was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023.
The primary doctor involved in the case, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, also known as "Dr. P" to Perry, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of distributing ketamine. Dr. Plasencia admitted to personally injecting the anesthetic into Perry on several occasions, including at his home and in his car on a public parking lot.
Dr. Plasencia, who is expected to face up to 40 years in prison, expressed deep remorse for his treatment decisions. He has agreed to surrender his medical license and is set to be sentenced in December.
Another defendant, Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," pleaded not guilty and is set to go to trial in mid-August. Sangha is charged with distribution of ketamine, conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession and distribution of methamphetamine and ketamine.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, also pleaded guilty last year to charges connected to the case. Iwamasa received ketamine from Dr. Plasencia to administer to Perry.
Three other defendants, including another doctor, an assistant, and a friend of the actor, pleaded guilty in court last year. Their sentencing is still pending. In exchange for his guilty plea, other charges against Dr. Plasencia were dropped.
It is believed that Perry obtained ketamine on the black market prior to his death. The ketamine that ultimately caused his death did not come from Dr. Plasencia, according to the prosecution.
Prior to his death, Perry had publicly spoken about his struggles with substance abuse. The actor underwent ketamine therapy under medical supervision for depression and anxiety.
Ketamine has been a reliable anesthetic for decades and can also be used to treat certain patients with therapy-resistant depression under specific conditions. However, the use of ketamine as an illegal club drug has led to numerous health issues and overdoses.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unregulated drug use and the importance of seeking professional help for mental health issues. The sentencing for Dr. Plasencia is scheduled for December, and the trial for Jasveen Sangha is set for mid-August.
- The tragic incident involving actor Matthew Perry's death in 2023 has highlighted the dangers of unregulated drug use, particularly in the context of mental health and the use of therapies like ketamine.
- Amidst the legal proceedings, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, often referred to as "Dr. P," admitted to distributing ketamine and personally injecting the anesthetic into Perry on several occasions, and agreed to forfeit his medical license.
- As the trial for Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," approaches in mid-August, it raises questions about illegal drug distribution and its links to health-and-wellness issues such as mental health, notably in relation to criminals supplying substances like ketamine and methamphetamine.
