A California doctor has been sentenced to eight months of house arrest and 300 hours of community service in connection with the death of former “Friends” star Matthew Perry.
December 17, 2025, 07:10December 17, 2025, 07:10
The 55-year-old doctor was spared a prison sentence, as US media reported, citing the decision of a court in Los Angeles. He had pleaded guilty to having procured the anesthetic ketamine for the addicted actor.
Matthew Perry died in 2023 from the effects of his ketamine use,Image: keystone
According to the indictment, the doctor from San Diego is said to have sold a large amount of ketamine for Perry to a colleague in Los Angeles using, among other things, a forged prescription. The 44-year-old doctor from Los Angeles delivered it directly to the actor – and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at the beginning of December.
The now convicted doctor got off lightly because, according to his lawyer, he admitted his guilt early on and cooperated with the authorities. He also willingly surrendered his medical license. The lawyer therefore spoke of a fair and just sentence.
Serious allegations against doctors and dealers
After Perry’s death, the police and public prosecutor’s office made serious allegations against five people arrested – among other things, they are said to have exploited his addiction problems to enrich themselves. In addition to the two doctors, the others have now also admitted their guilt, including an assistant to the actor and a drug supplier. In these cases, the sentence is expected in 2026.
The dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen” faces the longest sentence of up to 65 years in prison. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the woman supplied, among other things, the dose of the anesthetic ketamine that led to the actor’s death.
Death in the hot tub
Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023 at the age of 54. The death of the actor, who became famous worldwide with the TV series “Friends” about six young friends in New York, which was produced in the USA from 1994 to 2004, caused consternation and sadness around the world.
Perry had previously spoken publicly about his battle with addiction. He had reportedly undergone ketamine therapy under medical supervision for depression and anxiety. He is also said to have obtained the drug on the black market.
According to the coroner, Perry died from the effects of ketamine use. In addition, there were, among other things, heart disease and the effects of a drug used to treat opioid addiction. His death was ruled an accident. (sda/dpa)