The final chapter in the legal case surrounding Matthew Perry’s death has closed. Kenneth Iwamasa, the “Friends” star’s live-in personal assistant, received a prison sentence of three years and five months (41 months) on May 27, 2026.
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett delivered the sentence in a federal court in Los Angeles. Iwamasa must also serve two years of supervised release and pay a $10,000 fine. He pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death.
Who is Kenneth Iwamasa and What Was His Role?
Kenneth Iwamasa, 60, knew Matthew Perry for over three decades. He became Perry’s live-in assistant in 2022, earning $150,000 per year to manage the actor’s daily life and medical care. But prosecutors say he crossed a dangerous line.
Instead of protecting Perry from his addiction struggles, Iwamasa became his “enabler and drug supplier.” He had no medical training. Yet he learned how to inject Perry with ketamine, a strong drug used for surgery and depression treatment.
According to court documents, in the last five days of Perry’s life, Iwamasa gave him at least 27 ketamine shots. On October 28, 2023, the day Perry died, Iwamasa injected him three separate times. After the final injection, Iwamasa left the house to run errands. He returned to find Perry face down and unresponsive in the jacuzzi.
How Iwamasa Helped Get the Drugs
The case revealed a hidden network of drug suppliers. Iwamasa worked with Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who taught him how to inject ketamine and sold him vials for a huge profit. Plasencia charged $57,000 for his help, even though ketamine usually costs about $15 per vial.
Iwamasa also bought drugs from Erik Fleming, a friend of Perry’s, who got them from Jasveen Sangha. Prosecutors called Sangha the “Ketamine Queen.” In total, Iwamasa bought 51 vials of ketamine in just 11 days leading up to Perry’s death.
The Assistant’s Apology and the Family’s Anger
In the courtroom, Iwamasa turned to face Perry’s family. He spoke directly to them.
“I’m horribly, horribly sorry, and I offer my condolences to you. I’m just so sorry to have done these illegal acts that I will forever regret. I will take that to my grave.”
But his apology did not soften the pain for Perry’s loved ones. Lisa Ferguson, Perry’s business manager and estate executor, did not hold back.
“You wanted control, control over Matthew and everything he owned. What you are is the monster who killed him.”
Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, wrote a letter to the court expressing deep betrayal.
“Matthew trusted Kenny. We trusted Kenny,” she wrote. “Kenny’s most important job by far was to be my son’s companion and guardian in his fight against addiction. But instead of protecting Matthew, he aided and abetted illegal drug taking.”
His half-sister, Madeline, accused Iwamasa of leaving her brother “in a hot tub to die.”
Iwamasa’s lawyer, Alan Eisner, argued for a lighter sentence of only six months. He said Iwamasa could not say no to Perry because he “idolized” the actor, comparing him to Batman’s loyal butler, Alfred. But Judge Garnett rejected that defense.
“Unwilling. Not unable. He could have said no,” the judge said.
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Evidence Tampering and Lies
Court filings revealed that Iwamasa tried to hide evidence after Perry died. Prosecutors say he told another person to destroy ketamine vials and syringes. He also allegedly shredded a prescription document and a handwritten note linking to a doctor. He later admitted on a phone call that he had “cleaned up the scene,” gotten rid of bottles, and “deleted everything” from Perry’s devices.
He also lied to police officers who responded to the 911 call. When asked what medications Perry was taking, Iwamasa left out ketamine completely and did not mention the injections he had given just hours earlier.
The Final Sentencing in the Case
Iwamasa was the fifth and last person sentenced in this case. The other sentences include:
- Jasveen Sangha: 15 years in prison
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia: 2½ years in prison
- Erik Fleming: 2 years in prison
- Dr. Mark Chavez: 8 months of home detention and probation
The medical examiner ruled that Perry died from the “acute effects of ketamine.” Drowning was a secondary cause because the drug made him lose consciousness in the water.
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