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In a major update on the case involving the death of actor Matthew Perry, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced that doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez have voluntarily surrendered their medical licenses. This development follows serious allegations connecting them to Perry’s tragic passing, as reported by E! News.
Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV show Friends, was found deceased in the hot tub at his California home on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner determined that his death was an accidental result of "acute effects of ketamine" combined with drowning.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed on August 15 that Plasencia and Chavez are among five individuals charged in connection with Perry's death. The charges against them include allegations of exploiting Perry’s ongoing struggle with drug addiction.
Plasencia is a central figure in the case, accused of working with Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, to supply approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry between September and October 2023, reportedly in exchange for $55,000 in cash. Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death on August 7. Additionally, Plasencia is alleged to have communicated with Chavez, a San Diego-based physician accused of selling ketamine to Plasencia, discussing the financial aspects of their transactions. One of Plasencia's messages reportedly read, "I wonder how much this moron will pay."
Plasencia faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of ketamine distribution, and two counts of altering and falsifying documents related to the federal investigation. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in federal prison. As of August 16, Plasencia has not entered a public plea and was released on bond.
Chavez, who is scheduled to be arraigned on August 30, has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Should he be convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Throughout the ongoing investigation, Perry's friends and family are actively honoring his memory. Marta Kauffman, co-creator of Friends, has encouraged fans to celebrate Perry by supporting drug treatment centers and enjoying his work on Friends. Kauffman suggested, "Two things come to mind [about how to celebrate him]: one of them is to donate to drug treatment centres – let's fight the disease. And the second way is to watch Friends and remember him not as a man who died like that but as a man who was hilariously funny and brought joy to everybody."
The investigation into Perry's death continues as the legal proceedings unfold.
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