Matthew Perry's assistant sentenced to prison as family reveals heartbreaking betrayal

Former “Friends” Star Matthew Perry’s Live‑In Assistant Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Ketamine

A former assistant to the late “Friends” star Matthew Perry, Kenneth Iwamasa, was handed a 41‑month federal prison term and a $10,000 fine on Wednesday, after a U.S. District Court judge ruled that he had conspired to supply the actor with the drug ketamine and had injected him with the substance—including the lethal dose that caused Perry’s death in October 2023.

The Legal Outcome

United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, presiding over the case in the Central District of California, imposed the sentence and fine following Iwamasa’s plea agreement with the Department of Justice. Iwamasa, 61, had pleaded guilty on August 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine that had led to a death.

The court’s decision also marked the fifth and final conviction in the web of defendants tied to Perry’s demise, which includes the “Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha (15‑year sentence), Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Dr. Mark Chavez and drug broker Erik Fleming.

How the Conspiracy Unfolded

Investigators say Iwamasa orchestrated the procurement of dozens of ketamine vials over several weeks. The assistant purchased more than $55,000 worth of the dissociative anesthetic, moving it through a chain that began with Dr. Chavez, who ran a ketamine clinic and allegedly falsified a prescription. Plasencia, a former ketamine user and dealer, provided the drug to Iwamasa and taught him how to inject it.

From the mid‑September to the end of October, Iwamasa injected Perry six to eight times a day. According to the indictment, the first dose came on September 30 when Plasencia met Perry in his Pacific Palisades home and gave Iwamasa a vial of ketamine. Over the next weeks, Iwamasa injected the actor in various settings: at his home, in a Long Beach parking lot, and in the back seat of a car.

Authorities say the fatal dose was administered on October 27, the day before Perry’s death. Perry was found in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades residence, having apparently drowned. The coroner’s office ruled the cause of death as an accidental drowning, with ketamine poisoning as a contributing factor.

Family Reaction

Perry’s family has been vocal in condemning the assistant’s actions. Madeline Morrison, the actor’s sister, wrote in a statement: “It is difficult to put into words the sense of betrayal I felt when I found out what Kenny had done.” She added, “In many ways, it felt like my brother died all over again. Everything I believed about the day he died … was a lie.”

Caitlin Morrison, also a sister, echoed her brother’s anguish, describing the assistant as “a man who left him in a hot tub to die.” The family’s anger intensified after Iwamasa spoke at the funeral, where he addressed attendees who had gathered to remember Perry.

Perry’s mother, Suzanne, expressed profound hurt, saying, “Kenny’s most important job — by far — was to be my son’s companion and guardian in his fight against addiction. His number-one responsibility — ensure that Matthew remained what he wanted to be: drug free.” She added that the assistant had “kept a sharp eye on me” even after killing her son.

The Bigger Picture

The case highlights a complex network of individuals who supplied ketamine to a high‑profile celebrity. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, led by Martin Estrada, alleged that the defendants sold roughly 20 vials of ketamine for about $50,000 in cash and later sold 50 vials for $11,000. The defendants used coded language—terms like “Dr Pepper,” “cans,” and “bottles”—to describe the drug during their transactions.

The court’s ruling serves as a stark reminder that the illicit drug trade does not respect the boundaries of fame or circumstance. While the sentences vary—from Iwamasa’s 41 months to Sangha’s 15 years—the outcome signals a judicial willingness to hold all participants accountable.

Looking Ahead

With the sentencing of the final defendant, the federal investigation into Matthew Perry’s death is now closed. The judge’s decision may have broader implications for how the legal system approaches cases involving celebrity patients and the supply of controlled substances. For the Perry family, the verdict brings a measure of closure, although the pain of losing a brother and a son continues to linger.

In the months ahead, the story will likely serve as a cautionary tale for those who seek alternative treatments for addiction or other health issues without proper medical oversight. The legal system’s response underscores that the consequences of tampering with prescription drugs can be severe, both for those who supply them and those who receive them.