Matthew Perry’s assistant gets 41 months in prison for role in actor’s death

The personal assistant who injected “Friends” star Matthew Perry with a fatal dose of the hallucinogenic drug ketamine was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison on Wednesday, bringing to a close the prosecution of five people who admitted to playing roles in the actor’s death.
Judge Sherilyn Garnett delivered the sentence for Kenneth Iwamasa, the person who found Perry floating face down and lifeless in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. Federal prosecutors said Iwamasa injected Perry with ketamine at the actor’s request before leaving the residence to run errands. Perry was dead when Iwamasa returned.
“I am so sorry to all of you,” Iwamasa said in court, turning to face the Perry family. “I’m just so sorry to have done illegal acts I will forever regret. I will take that to my grave.”
An autopsy report concluded that Perry died from the “acute effects of ketamine,” which combined with other factors in causing him to lose consciousness and drown.
Ketamine, a short-acting but potent anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, is sometimes prescribed to treat depression and other psychological disorders but has gained popularity as an illicit party drug.
Iwamasa had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death. As part of a plea agreement, he admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including the lethal dose.