Doctor charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death agrees to plead guilty

A doctor charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death has agreed to plead guilty.

Mark Chavez is one of the five people announced earlier this month to have been charged in connection with the death of the actor.

The Friends star died in October last year when he was found 'unconscious in a stand-alone Jacuzzi' at his Los Angeles home at the age of 54.

It has been confirmed today (30 August) that Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to one federal count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

“Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and has signed a plea agreement,” the Justice Department announced, reports Deadline.

“At his arraignment [United States Magistrate Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth] will set a date for Chavez’s change of plea proceeding – or direct the parties to contact the chambers of the federal district judge assigned to the case to set the hearing date.”

Perry famously played Chandler Bing in Friends. (Warner Bros. Television)

In a press conference earlier this month, attorney Martin Estrada described a 'broad underground criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine to Mr Perry and others'.

He added: "This network included a live-in assistant, various go-betweens, two medical doctors and a major source of drug supply known as ‘the ketamine queen’."

The star's death was initially reported as accidental with the autopsy revealing a cause of the combined effects of ketamine use and drowning.

However, it was later confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) there was going to be a criminal investigation into Perry's death.

Perry died in October last year. (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

This investigation began as it is alleged the ketamine that Perry ingested was not legally prescribed. Although, he had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for anxiety and depression, his last session was a week and a half before his death on 28 October 2023.

And the contents from that infusion would have only been in his system for three to four hours.

Reportedly, the criminal investigation found text messages leading to the various arrests.

NBC, the network which aired Friends, confirmed Perry's tragic death last year in a statement: "We are incredibly saddened by the too soon passing of Matthew Perry.

"He brought so much joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world with his pitch-perfect comedic timing and wry wit. His legacy will live on through countless generations."