Assistant Sentenced for Role in Matthew Perry’s Death

Kenneth Iwamasa, who was Matthew Perry’s live-in assistant, received a prison sentence of over three years for injecting the “Friends” actor with ketamine repeatedly, including on the day of his death.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett also ordered Iwamasa to pay a $10,000 fine. Perry, who died at the age of 54 in October 2023, drowned in a jacuzzi in Los Angeles after overdosing on ketamine. According to Iwamasa’s plea deal, Perry’s last request was, “shoot me up with a big one” prior to the fatal injection.

Prosecutors revealed that in the days leading up to Perry’s passing, Iwamasa had administered over 25 injections of the substance, with at least three occurring on the day he died.

During the court session, Iwamasa, now 61, expressed deep remorse, stating he was “horribly, horribly sorry” for what happened. Madeline Morrison, Perry’s half-sister, described Iwamasa’s demeanor following Perry’s death as “manic,” recounting her experience selecting clothes for his burial—an incredibly surreal and heartbreaking moment for her.

“Kenny seemed so unsettled,” she said. “He kept telling his version of events without being prompted, almost as if he were trying to evade the reality that he played a significant role in my brother’s death.”

Iwamasa is the last of five individuals sentenced in connection with Perry’s death, alongside others involved, including dealer Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” and two doctors.

This sentencing follows only two weeks after Erik Fleming, a drug addiction counselor, was sentenced to two years after he was found to have supplied Perry with 50 vials of ketamine. A visibly emotional Fleming called it a “nightmare” he couldn’t escape from during his sentencing.

The judge noted that Fleming had been on bond for about two years, and he has 45 days to report to begin serving his sentence, in addition to three years of supervised release.

Perry’s battle with addiction was well-documented, growing from his time on the iconic sitcom “Friends,” where he became famous as Chandler Bing. His personal struggles often overshadowed his successful career.

According to reports, Iwamasa injected Perry between six to eight times daily during the days leading up to October 27, 2023. He later admitted to a charge of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death on August 7, 2025.

Iwamasa is said to have spent over $55,000 on ketamine from various sources over the month before Perry’s tragic death.