The legal battle surrounding the death of beloved actor Matthew Perry has taken a chilling turn, as his lawyer revealed a series of “disturbing” text messages allegedly exchanged between the doctors now facing charges connected to his fatal ketamine overdose. The texts, according to court filings, paint a harrowing picture of negligence, cover-ups, and a reckless disregard for the late Friends star’s well-being.
Matthew Perry, who died in October 2023 at his Los Angeles home, was widely remembered for his candid openness about his battles with addiction. But investigators say his trust in medical professionals may have ultimately cost him his life. Prosecutors allege that two doctors—who had access to Perry’s private medical treatments—engaged in unethical practices that directly contributed to his overdose. Now, previously unseen messages between them have come to light, and Perry’s attorney says they reveal “disturbing levels of complicity.”
“Disturbing is an understatement. The texts between these doctors show not only negligence, but a shocking indifference to Matthew’s safety,” said Perry’s lawyer in today’s hearing. 💔— Court Watch (@CourtWatchNews) August 16, 2025
The text messages reportedly show the doctors joking about dosages and minimizing risks despite Perry’s known history of substance struggles. One alleged exchange even suggested altering notes to obscure the true quantities of ketamine administered. According to The Los Angeles Times, prosecutors are using these texts as key evidence in their case, arguing they prove intent to deceive and reckless endangerment.
Perry’s family has long pushed for accountability, with his stepfather Keith Morrison telling NBC News earlier this year that “Matthew trusted the wrong people, and they let him down in the worst possible way.” The newly surfaced texts now seem to confirm those fears, showing that the medical professionals in charge of his care were more concerned about covering themselves than protecting their patient.
“Matthew Perry fought for years to overcome addiction. To see his life end this way, due to people he trusted, is unbearable,” said a family spokesperson. #JusticeForMatthew— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) August 16, 2025
The texts are part of a broader case in which both doctors face involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy charges. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences. Perry’s lawyer emphasized that the messages were “not just careless words” but “a reflection of their reckless actions that directly endangered Matthew’s life.”
Legal experts following the case told CNN that the messages may prove pivotal, serving as “smoking gun” evidence to establish culpability. “Texts are hard to explain away,” one legal analyst said. “Juries tend to see them as raw and unfiltered, which makes them powerful.”
Hearing the details of the doctors’ texts in the Matthew Perry case is infuriating. The callousness is staggering. 💔— Pop Culture Updates (@PopCultureUp) August 16, 2025
Perry’s death continues to spark outrage not just because of who he was, but because of what he represented. After decades of substance struggles, he had reinvented himself as an advocate for recovery, turning his Malibu mansion into a sober living facility and writing openly about his journey in his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. To his supporters, that made his final chapter all the more tragic.
Fans flooded social media with grief and anger after learning about the texts, with many calling for the doctors to face the maximum sentence. Some pointed to Perry’s own words, where he once told People that he wanted his legacy to be tied not to Friends, but to helping others fight addiction.
“When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing mentioned—I want helping people with addiction to be what I’m remembered for.” Matthew Perry’s words sting even more today. 🕊️— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 16, 2025
As the case heads toward trial, Perry’s lawyer vowed to fight relentlessly for accountability. “Matthew trusted these individuals with his life,” he said outside the courthouse. “The texts show what they really thought of that responsibility. Now it’s up to the justice system to decide if they should pay for that betrayal.”
For millions of fans worldwide, the shocking revelations are not only a reminder of Perry’s tragic fate but also a stark warning about how even those with wealth and access to private care are not always safe from negligence. In the words of one grieving fan online: “If Matthew Perry wasn’t safe, what hope is there for the rest of us?”
