The live-in personal assistant of Friends actor Matthew Perry has been sentenced to 41 months in prison, concluding a lengthy legal case linked to the star’s death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, 60, admitted to injecting Perry with ketamine and working with two doctors to obtain more than $50,000 worth of the drug in the weeks leading up to the actor’s death. Prosecutors said he had no medical training.
Perry was found dead in his backyard hot tub in Los Angeles in October 2023.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
He was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay a $10,000 fine. He is scheduled to report to prison on July 17.
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett said during sentencing that Iwamasa was aware of Perry’s addiction struggles and had also attempted to conceal evidence after the actor’s death.
In court, Iwamasa turned to face Perry’s family and issued an emotional apology, saying he deeply regretted his actions and would “take it to his grave”.
He said he hoped his case would serve as a warning to others in similar positions to make better choices.
Ahead of sentencing, members of Perry’s family submitted letters expressing their views, with his sister Caitlin Morrison saying she had “no sympathy” for Iwamasa and criticised his actions on the night of Perry’s death.
Another sister, Madeline Morrison, described him as “more culpable” than other individuals involved in the case.
Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, said Iwamasa’s role was to support and protect her son during his struggle with addiction, but instead he enabled illegal drug use.
She added that Perry “paid the price” for the betrayal of trust.
Medical reports stated that Perry’s death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a contributing factor.
During sentencing, the judge said Iwamasa continued supplying and injecting ketamine despite knowing its harmful effects, and also noted his attempts to destroy evidence and mislead investigators.
His lawyer argued that Perry had asked for the injections and that Iwamasa was under pressure from his employer, though the judge said his actions were reckless.
Outside court, Iwamasa again expressed remorse, saying he wished he could reverse what happened.
He is the first of five defendants involved in the case to be sentenced after all reached plea agreements.
Others previously sentenced include a woman dubbed the “Ketamine Queen”, a doctor, another physician, and an associate involved in sourcing the drug linked to Perry’s death.
