Almost two years after Friends star Matthew Perry died aged 54, an ITV documentary is coming out on Monday night to explore his life and passing which shocked the world.
The documentary, titled Matthew Perry: A Holly Tragedy, reflects on Perry’s rise to fame and his tragic final days, featuring insights from his cast mates, friends, law enforcements and Perry’s own candid account.
Perry was found dead in the backyard jacuzzi of his Los Angeles house in October 2023, with his cause of death later given as the “acute effects of ketamine”.
Five doctors have been charged in connection with Perry’s death for conspiring to to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine.
Dr Salvador Plasencia most recently pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine on July 23 2025. He could face up to 40 years in prison, but is currently released on bond until sentencing in December 2025.
Here is a look at how events unfolded to this point.
November 2022
Perry releases the book Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing, in which he says he was on the brink of death, aged 49, when his colon burst from drug abuse.
Perry also discloses he spent two weeks in a coma and five months in hospital and had to use a colostomy bag for nine months. He says he is in “sobriety”.
Late September 2023
According to the indictment, Dr Salvador Plasencia, 42, of Santa Monica, learned Perry “was interested in obtaining ketamine”.
Plasencia then allegedly contacted Dr Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, to supply Perry with the anaesthetic medication.
September and October 2023
It is claimed that Plasencia used Perry’s live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake, to distribute approximately 20 vials of ketamine to the actor.
Mid-October 2023
It is alleged Iwamasa began to buy ketamine for Perry from Erik Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne, and Jasveen Sangha, 41, of North Hollywood.
During the same month, Iwamasa was allegedly told that “Perry’s ketamine addiction was spiralling out of control”.
October 28 2023
The US Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, says Iwamasa injected Perry at his Pacific Palisades home with the ketamine that was sold to him by Fleming and Sangha, and using syringes from Plasencia.
Perry was found face down in his hot tub and paramedics declared him dead. Perry’s death was announced and it is claimed that Sangha texted Fleming: “Delete all our messages.”
October 29 2023
A post-mortem examination is completed on Perry.
November 3 2023
Friends co-stars Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Aniston reportedly attend his funeral at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where he was buried.
December 15 2023
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident from the “acute effects of ketamine”. Perry was receiving “ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety”, the examination said.
It concluded that this would not explain the levels found in his blood, which was in the range used for general anaesthesia during surgery.
February and March 2024
The US attorney alleges that Plasencia provided altered and falsified medical records, which claimed he had a legitimate “treatment plan” in place for Perry, which they say was an attempt to influence the investigation.
May 2024
The Los Angeles Police Department confirms it is continuing to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on an investigation into the circumstances of Perry’s death.
August 7 2024
Iwamasa pleads guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. He admits to “repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including performing multiple injections” on the day of his death.
August 8 2024
Fleming pleads guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. He admits to “obtaining the ketamine from his source, Sangha, and to distributing 50 vials of ketamine” to Iwamasa, the US attorney said.
August 15 2024
Plasencia, Chavez, Iwamasa, Fleming and Sangha are charged over the circumstances surrounding Perry’s death. Sangha and Plasencia are set to appear in court.
August 30 2024
At a court hearing, it is agreed that Chavez should have his guilty plea accepted.
October 2 2024
Chavez pleads guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anaesthetic ketamine.
He is free on bail and will be sentenced on April 2 next year.
June 16 2025
Plasencia made a plea deal with the Department of Justice an faced a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Chavez and Iwamasa who previously submitted guilty pleas are due to be sentenced.
July 23 2025
One month after making his plea deal, Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine.
He gave up his medical license and remains out on bond until his sentencing on December 3 2025.
