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Kenneth Iwamasa Gets 41 Months in Prison for Role in Actor's Overdose
The personal assistant of late Friends star Matthew Perry has been sentenced to three years and five months in prison for administering the fatal dose of ketamine that killed the actor in October 2023. Kenneth Iwamasa, 60, pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of Perry, who was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles hot tub.
According to court documents, Iwamasa injected Perry with ketamine at the actor's request on the morning of October 28, 2023, before leaving to run errands. When he returned, Perry was dead. The coroner ruled the cause of death as acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a contributing factor. The 2025 celebrity drug cases have drawn renewed attention to the dangers of unsupervised ketamine use.
Background: Perry's Long Struggle with Addiction
Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004, had been open about his decades-long battle with addiction. He was 54 at the time of his death. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, was legally prescribed to Perry for depression and anxiety, but he sought higher doses than his doctors would provide.
Iwamasa, who had worked for Perry since 1992 and lived with him from 2022 onward, admitted to purchasing ketamine from a network of suppliers and administering the drug multiple times daily, without any medical license. In the final days of Perry's life, Iwamasa injected him six to eight times per day, according to prosecutors.
The Ketamine Network and Sentencing
The case involved five defendants in total, all of whom have now been sentenced. Iwamasa was the last to receive his sentence. The judge told him: "You were aware of his struggle with addiction. Your behavior was reckless, not only on the day of his death but also in the days leading up to it."
The sentences handed down include:
- Jasveen Sangha (the 'Ketamine Queen') – 15 years in prison for selling the fatal dose
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia – 2.5 years for illegally prescribing ketamine
- Eric Fleming – 2 years for acting as a middleman
- Kenneth Iwamasa – 3 years and 5 months for administering the drug
Iwamasa was paid $150,000 per year as Perry's assistant. His sentence matched the prosecution's recommendation. The ketamine abuse in Hollywood scandal has prompted calls for stricter regulation of the drug's use in psychiatric treatment.
Impact and Implications
Perry's death has become a cautionary tale about the dangers of ketamine misuse, even in therapeutic settings. Ketamine has gained popularity as a treatment for depression, but it also carries significant risks, especially when used outside clinical supervision. The case has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of caregivers and the need for stricter oversight of controlled substances.
Iwamasa's sentencing closes the legal chapter on one of the most high-profile celebrity drug-related deaths in recent years. Perry's legacy as Chandler Bing continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide, while his death serves as a reminder of the hidden struggles behind fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Matthew Perry's cause of death?
The Los Angeles County coroner ruled that Matthew Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a contributing factor.
Who was Kenneth Iwamasa?
Kenneth Iwamasa was Matthew Perry's personal assistant for over 30 years. He lived with the actor and administered the fatal dose of ketamine.
What sentence did Iwamasa receive?
Iwamasa was sentenced to 3 years and 5 months in federal prison for his role in Perry's death.
How much ketamine did Perry take?
In his final days, Perry received ketamine injections six to eight times per day, administered by his assistant.
Were others charged in connection with Perry's death?
Yes, four other individuals were charged and sentenced, including a doctor, a middleman, and a dealer known as the 'Ketamine Queen.'
Sources
Information for this article was sourced from the NOS news report, court documents, and the Los Angeles County coroner's report. For more details, visit the original NOS article.
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