Actor Matthew Perry died last year after he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades. An autopsy later concluded he had high levels of ketamine in his blood and likely fell unconscious and went underwater.
Perry had publicly documented his struggles with alcohol and drugs over the years, as well as his efforts to kick the habit.
It is not clear how long he had been taking ketamine. But the federal indictments disclosed Thursday indicate at least two of the defendants charged had only started allegedly supplying Perry with the powerful anesthetic about a month before his death.
Here's how events unfolded as alleged in the federal indictments:
- Late September 2023: Defendant Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, of Santa Monica allegedly learned that Perry was interested in obtaining ketamine, according to the indictment.
Sept. 30, 2023: Plasencia contacted another physician, Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, for help obtaining ketamine. The indictment says Chavez agreed and the two doctors met in Costa Mesa that day for the purchase. (Chavez has already agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and admitted selling the drug to Plasencia.) That same day, Plasencia allegedly went to Perry's home in Los Angeles and injected him with ketamine and left behind at least one vial of ketamine and multiple syringes. Oct. 2, 2023: Plasencia allegedly returned to Perry's residence and injected him with more ketamine, as well as selling him additional supplies. Oct. 4, 2023: Chavez allegedly sold more ketamine to Plasencia, who traveled to Perry's home and sold more to him. Oct. 10, 2023: After the two arranged another transaction, Plasencia told Chavez he had just injected Perry with more ketamine while sitting in a car parked in a lot in Long Beach. Oct. 12, 2023: Plasencia allegedly administered more ketamine to Perry, causing his blood pressure to spike and making him physically freeze up, unable to speak or move. Oct. 13, 2023: Chavez reveals that he is under investigation by the California Board of Medicine over ketamine lozenges prescribed in another patient's name that were missing from Chavez's clinic. Chavez was allegedly using the other patient's name to obtain supplies that were eventually provided to Perry. Oct. 28, 2023: Perry dies, after he is found unresponsive in his hot tub. His death is later termed an accident, related to ingestion of ketamine with drowning a contributing factor. After hearing the news, Chavez allegedly called Plasencia that same day to discuss whether the ketamine they provided may have caused Perry's death. Nov. 3, 2023: Perry's private funeral is held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, attended by his "Friends" costars as well as family and other friends. Dec. 15, 2023: The coroner says Perry died from the acute effect of ketamine. Listed as contributing factors were drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects. Aug. 15, 2024: Charges announced against five people in connection with Perry's death. Three have already agreed to plead guilty to federal drug charges. 
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