New Doc Exposes the Secret Drug Scene That May Have Led to Matthew Perry's Tragic Death
The special, produced by ITN Productions, features exclusive interviews with Hollywood insiders, law enforcement officials, and legal experts, including U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, who has been leading the case against five individuals allegedly connected to Perry's death.
Matthew Perry, best known for playing the quick-witted Chandler Bing on Friends, captivated audiences with his comedic timing and charismatic presence. However, behind the scenes, Perry struggled with substance abuse for decades. In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he candidly detailed his battles with addiction, multiple rehab stays, and near-death experiences.
On October 28, 2023, Perry was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home. The news of his death at age 54 shocked fans and Hollywood alike. Initial reports suggested he drowned in his jacuzzi, but later toxicology results revealed high levels of ketamine in his system. This discovery raised significant questions about how he obtained the drug and whether medical professionals or enablers played a role in his death.
A major focus of Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy is the alleged underground ketamine scene in Los Angeles, which has become increasingly scrutinized following Perry's death. Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has gained popularity in recent years for its off-label use in treating depression and chronic pain. However, its potential for misuse, particularly in high doses, has raised concerns among medical professionals and law enforcement.
The documentary investigates how ketamine is procured and distributed within Hollywood's elite circles, shedding light on the risks of unchecked access to powerful substances. The involvement of Perry's personal assistant and alleged drug suppliers highlights how even those in recovery can become entangled in dangerous drug networks.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has charged five individuals in relation to Perry's ketamine use, including two doctors, a woman known as the 'Ketamine Queen,' and Perry's personal assistant. Authorities allege that these individuals conspired to illegally supply Perry with the drug, despite knowing the potential dangers.
Among those charged:
Perry's personal assistant, who allegedly coordinated ketamine deliveries
Two medical doctors, accused of improperly prescribing ketamine
A Hollywood drug dealer, known for catering to elite clients
The so-called 'Ketamine Queen', an alleged key figure in L.A.'s underground ketamine trade
While three of the defendants have already pleaded guilty and are cooperating with investigators, two have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, who is featured in the documentary, outlines the charges and the legal strategies being pursued to hold those responsible accountable.
To provide a comprehensive look at Perry's final days, Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy features exclusive interviews with individuals closely connected to the case. Actress Morgan Fairchild, who played Perry's mother on Friends, shares her reflections on his life, career, and struggles.
Additional perspectives come from:
Law enforcement officials, who discuss the broader issue of drug accessibility in Hollywood
Medical experts, who explain the effects of ketamine and its risks
Hollywood insiders, who provide insight into Perry's personal and professional life
By weaving together these interviews, the documentary aims to paint a full picture of Perry's final days, from his efforts to maintain sobriety to the circumstances that led to his tragic death.
Beyond the legal case, Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy serves as a tribute to Perry's legacy. The documentary revisits his rise to fame, his philanthropic efforts—including the Perry House, a sober living facility he founded—and the lasting impact he had on audiences worldwide.
Through archival footage, personal anecdotes, and expert analysis, the special balances the tragedy of Perry's passing with a celebration of his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Title: Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy
Premiere Date: February 25, 2025
Network: Peacock
Director: Robert Palumbo
Executive Producers: Ian Russell, Mike Griffiths, and Robert Palumbo
Produced By: ITN Productions
Format: 1 x 60-minute special
As the legal case unfolds, Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy promises to provide an in-depth look at the investigation while honoring the life of one of television's most cherished stars. Fans and viewers can expect a compelling mix of investigative journalism, heartfelt tributes, and critical discussions about addiction and accountability in Hollywood.
The post New Doc Exposes the Secret Drug Scene That May Have Led to Matthew Perry's Tragic Death appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
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News24
an hour ago
- News24
Doctor pleads guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine
Dr Salvador Plasencia, charged in Matthew Perry's ketamine overdose case, has pleaded guilty and could face up to 40 years in prison. Plasencia admitted to injecting Perry with ketamine and distributing 20 vials over a two-week period in 2023. Perry, who struggled with addiction and used ketamine for depression therapy, tragically died at the age of 54. A doctor charged in connection with the drug overdose death of actor Matthew Perry pleaded guilty Wednesday to supplying the Friends star with ketamine. Salvador Plasencia, 43, one of five people charged over Perry's death, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Los Angeles to four counts of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is to be sentenced on 3 December and faces up to 40 years in prison. He will also surrender his medical license. Plasencia's attorney, Karen Goldstein, said after the hearing that her client regretted his actions. 'Dr. Plasencia is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry,' Goldstein said in a statement. 'He is fully accepting responsibility... acknowledging his failure to protect Mr. Perry, a patient who was especially vulnerable due to addiction.' Plasencia did not provide Perry with the fatal dose of ketamine but supplied the actor with the drug in the weeks before he was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home. Another doctor, Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty in October to conspiring to distribute ketamine to Perry. READ | Five charged over ketamine death of 'Friends' star Matthew Perry Plasencia allegedly bought ketamine off Chavez and sold it to the American-Canadian actor at hugely inflated prices. 'I wonder how much this moron will pay,' Plasencia wrote in one text message presented by prosecutors. Jasveen Sangha, the alleged 'Ketamine Queen' who supplied drugs to high-end clients and celebrities, is charged with selling Perry the dose that killed him. She has pleaded not guilty. Perry's live-in personal assistant and another man pleaded guilty in August to charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Addiction struggles The actor's lengthy struggles with substance addiction were well-documented, but his death at age 54 sent shockwaves through the global legions of Friends fans. A criminal investigation was launched soon after an autopsy discovered he had high levels of ketamine - an anaesthetic - in his system. In his plea deal with prosecutors, Plasencia said he went to Perry's home to administer ketamine by injection and distributed 20 vials of the drug over a roughly two-week period in autumn 2023. Perry had been taking ketamine as part of supervised therapy for depression. But prosecutors say that before his death, he became addicted to the substance, which also has psychedelic properties and is a popular party drug. Friends, which followed the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adulthood, dating and careers, drew a massive following and made megastars of previously unknown actors. Perry's role as the sarcastic man-child Chandler brought him fabulous wealth, but hid a dark struggle with addiction to painkillers and alcohol. In 2018, he suffered a drug-related burst colon and underwent multiple surgeries. In his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry described going through detox dozens of times. 'I have mostly been sober since 2001,' he wrote, 'save for about sixty or seventy little mishaps.'
Buzz Feed
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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Matthew Perry's Doctor ‘Profoundly Remorseful,' Dabs Eyes as Guilty Plea Finalized
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the physician who provided Matthew Perry with a lethal dose of ketamine, finalized his guilty plea on Wednesday and shared that he is immensely regretful of his involvement in the actor's tragic death. 'While Dr. Plasencia was not treating Mr. Perry at the time of his death, he hopes his case serves as a warning to other medical professionals and leads to stricter oversight and clear protocols for the rapidly growing at-home ketamine industry in order to prevent future tragedies like this one,' Plasencia's lawyer, Karen L. Goldstein, said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. More from TheWrap NBCUniversal Considers Launching Cable Sports Channel With the NBA, Peacock Offerings Black Women in Entertainment Launches as National Network for Black Woman Creatives in Hollywood Lionsgate, Universal Set 'Michael' for April 2026 Release Date Columbia University to Pay $200 Million Fine in Settlement With Trump Administration The lawyer added that he was 'profoundly remorseful' for the role he played in the Perry's death while he appeared in court. According to the report, 'Plasencia dabbed his face repeatedly with a cloth' as prosecutors detailed the charges against him. The paper also noted that the physician plans to relinquish his medical license within the next 30 to 45 days. Last month, Plasencia, who is one of five people who have been charged in Perry's October 2023 death, agreed to plead guilty to distributing ketamine to the 'Friends' star. Plasencia now faces up to 40 years in prison after he was charged with four counts of ketamine distribution, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and other related offenses. He will remain out on bail until his sentencing hearing which is scheduled for Dec. 3. His Calabasas-based urgent care clinic remains open but now requires patients to sign waivers acknowledging the charges against him. He is the fourth person to plead guilty in regard to Perry's death. The others are Dr. Mark Chavez, the actor's personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and 'street dealer' Erik Fleming. Jasveen Sangha (a.k.a. 'The Ketamine Queen') has pleaded not guilty and is headed to trial in August. Perry was found dead in his hot tub on Oct. 28, 2023. His cause of death was ruled a ketamine overdose with drowning as a factor. He was post Matthew Perry's Doctor 'Profoundly Remorseful,' Dabs Eyes as Guilty Plea Finalized appeared first on TheWrap.
