Matthew Perry's Parents Slam 'Greedy' Doctor
Matthew Perry, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Public domain.
In a courtroom drama that has gripped Hollywood and the public alike, the parents of beloved actor Matthew Perry reportedly unleashed a torrent of grief and fury in victim impact letters filed just before the sentencing of Dr. Salvador Plasencia. The doctor, who pleaded guilty to supplying Perry with ketamine — the drug that led to the star's tragic death in 2023 — is now facing the full weight of a family's heartbreak and a community's demand for justice.
The letters, submitted on December 3, 2025, reveal a family shattered by loss and seething with anger at a man they accuse of conspiring to break his most important vows as a physician. Suzanne Morrison, Perry's mother, and Keith Morrison, his stepfather, joined forces with Perry's father, John Bennett Perry, and stepmother, Debby Perry, to deliver a searing indictment of Plasencia's actions. Their words paint a vivid picture of a doctor who preyed on their son's vulnerability, feeding him ketamine in secret and profiting from his pain.
A Family's Heartbreak Unleashed
The Morrisons' letter reportedly opens with a raw question about the nature of grief, describing it as a bottomless pit where the world seems to collapse. They recall Matthew's life as one held together with "duct tape and baling wire," as reported by The Daily Beast, a fragile existence constantly threatened by the shadows of addiction. Their anguish is palpable as they describe how all their efforts to protect their son were ultimately undone by what they call "greedy jackals" who emerged from the darkness to shatter their hopes.
According to the letter, Plasencia is "most culpable" for Perry's death, as reported by PEOPLE, a man who not only broke his professional vows but did so with cold calculation. The Morrisons accuse him of sneaking through the night to meet their son in secret, driven by greed and a callous disregard for human life. They recount a chilling text message from Plasencia, in which he allegedly mocked the financial cost of supplying Perry, saying, "I wonder how much this moron will pay. Let's find out" — revealing what the family characterizes as a disturbing detachment from the consequences of his actions.
Betrayal of a Doctor's Vows
The family's words cut deep, reflecting on the long and arduous journey Plasencia undertook to become a doctor. They question why a man who dedicated years to the healing profession would choose to betray that trust for "a few thousand dollars," as reported by PEOPLE. The letter accuses Plasencia of conspiring to break his most important vows repeatedly, exploiting their son's struggles for personal gain.
The Morrison's pain is echoed by John Bennett Perry and Debby Perry, who describe Matthew as a "warm, loving man" and the family's rock, as reported by PEOPLE. Their letter expresses disbelief and sorrow that Plasencia doesn't "deserve to hear" their feelings, underscoring the depth of their loss. They implore the court to impose a sentence that extends beyond the mandatory minimum, demanding that Plasencia be given ample time to reflect on the devastation he caused.
The Tragic Timeline
Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty earlier this year to four counts of distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry and his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, between late September and mid-October 2023. Perry died on October 28, 2023, from acute ketamine effects compounded by drowning, coronary artery disease, and the influence of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
Plasencia was the first of five individuals arrested in connection with Perry's death to face sentencing. The others include Iwamasa, Jasveen Sangha — dubbed the "Ketamine Queen" by prosecutors — Dr. Mark Chavez, and alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming. All have reportedly pleaded guilty, with Sangha's sentencing scheduled shortly after Plasencia's.
Federal prosecutors have alleged that this group exploited Perry's vulnerability for profit, a claim that resonates deeply in the victim impact statements. The family's letters underscore the betrayal and call for justice that matches the gravity of the crime.
Justice on the Horizon
Plasencia reportedly faces up to 40 years in prison for his role in the distribution of ketamine that led to Perry's death. The sentencing marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about accountability in drug-related deaths, a crisis that experts say continues to devastate families across the country.
The Morrisons' and Perrys' letters are a powerful reminder of the human cost behind headlines and court cases. They reveal a family still grappling with the loss of a son, a brother, and a friend who touched millions with his talent and charm. Their demand for justice is clear: that Plasencia be held fully responsible for the "greedy" actions that ended Matthew Perry's life far too soon.
As the court prepares to deliver its verdict, the world watches, hoping that this chapter brings some measure of closure to a family devastated by loss and a star whose light was extinguished by betrayal.
References: Matthew Perry's Mom & Stepdad Keith Morrison Condemn 'Greedy' Doctor | Matthew Perry's Parents Say His Doctor Is 'Culpable' in Fiery Letter | Matthew Perry's Parents Unleash 'Seething Anger' at Drug-Dealing Doctor
