Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry‘s assistant, has been sentenced to over three years in prison for injecting his boss with ketamine that ultimately and tragically killed the ‘Friends’ actor.
RELATED: Assistant Found Matthew Perry Unconscious Repeatedly Before Fatal Overdose
Matthew Perry’s Assistant Kenneth Iwamasa Pleads Guilty In ‘Friends’ Actor’s Ketamine Death
On Wednesday (May 27), Perry’s live-in assistant was sentenced to 41 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay separate fines of $10,000 and $100. Additionally, he will serve two years of supervised release. He is expected to surrender to authorities by July 17.
In August 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death in connection with Perry’s death. In the case, prosecutors claimed Iwamasa injected Perry with at least three shots of ketamine on October 23, 2023. The incident resulted in the 54-year-old actor’s death. He was found face down in his jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023.
An autopsy revealed the actor died from acute effects of ketamine and other contributing factors, like drowning, coronary artery disease, and effects from buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
Matthew Perry’s Assistant, Plus Four Others Plead Guilty In ‘Friends’ Actor’s Ketamine Death
Prosecutors accused Jasveen Sangha — the woman they described as the “Ketamine Queen” — of supplying the drug that killed the actor. In September 2025, Sangha pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Then in April 2026, she was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
In addition to Iwamasa and Sangha’s convictions, three other defendants plead guilty in connection to Perry’s death. This includes: Perry’s friend Erik Fleming (who is accused of distributing the drugs to Perry’s live-in assistant Iwamasa); plus doctors Mark Chavez and Salvador Plasencia.
In October 2025, Chavez was sentenced to 8 months of home detention, plus 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. In December 2025, Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution. Then in early May 2026, Fleming was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine.
Matthew Perry’s Stepfather Speaks After Assistant To ‘Friends’ Actor Is Sentenced In His Ketamine Death
Following Iwamasa’s sentencing, Perry’s stepfather, ‘Dateline’ correspondent Keith Morrison, 78, told reporters, “I’m glad it’s done, but to say I’m angry is an understatement.” Morrison said Iwamasa was specifically told to call his parents regarding his struggles with substance abuse.
He said, “What happens if Matthew gets into any trouble with drugs at all? You call. Instead, he controlled him by the use of ketamine.” Morrison added, “He’s still lying in a box in the cemetery and it still makes us sad every day. His mother is truly broken.”
Speaking to Perry’s family, Iwamasa said, “I’m so sorry to all of you. I’m just so sorry. I’ve done illegal acts that I will forever regret. I will take that to my grave.”
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!