Matthew Perry's personal assistant has been sentenced to three years and five months in prison after injecting the drugs that killed the former Friends star in 2023. The actor was found dead in October 2023 at the age of 54. Kenneth Iwamasa, 61, pleaded guilty to distributing the drug that resulted in death or serious bodily injury.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett said: "You were privy to his struggle with addiction. Your conduct was reckless, not just on the day of his death but in the days leading up to his death." She noted there was "no hard evidence" of malicious intent, though some might disagree.
Apology and Defense
Iwamasa apologized in court: "I am so sorry to all of you. I'm just so sorry to have done illegal acts I will forever regret. I will take that to my grave." His lawyer Alan Eisner argued for a six-month prison sentence plus home confinement, claiming Iwamasa acted under Perry's instructions. "His loyalty to Mr Perry was paramount. He worshipped Mr Perry," Eisner said. Judge Garnett countered: "He could have said no."
Victim Impact
Perry's mother Suzanne spoke of her loss: "Instead of protecting Matthew, he aided and abetted illegal drug taking... Shot the drugs into Matthew's body... He did it again and again." She added: "We trusted a man without a conscience, and my son paid the price."
Investigation and Other Sentences
Iwamasa purchased ketamine from Erik Fleming, 56, who sourced it from Jasveen Sangha, 42, known as the Ketamine Queen. Sangha received 15 years on April 8, and Fleming got two years a fortnight ago. The LA County Medical Examiner ruled ketamine as the primary cause of death, with drowning as a secondary cause. On the day of Perry's death, Iwamasa gave police a list of medications omitting ketamine. After a search warrant in January 2024, he admitted giving Perry six to eight injections daily in his final days, and that Perry said: "Shoot me up with a big one" on the day he died.
