Matthew Perry’s former live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison, closing another chapter in the criminal cases that followed the actor’s death. Prosecutors said Iwamasa helped supply Perry with ketamine in the weeks leading up to his death and worked with two doctors to obtain more than $50,000 worth of the drug. He had no medical training.
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the television sitcom Friends, was found dead in the backyard hot tub of his Los Angeles home in October 2023. His death triggered a broader investigation into how he obtained ketamine, a drug sometimes used medically for anesthesia and depression treatment but also known for its dangerous effects when misused.
According to prosecutors, Iwamasa injected Perry with ketamine and played a central role in arranging the drug supply. The case has highlighted concerns about the misuse of prescription medications and the people who enable access to them outside legitimate medical supervision. Authorities said Iwamasa was part of a chain that brought large quantities of ketamine to Perry in the weeks before his death.
The sentencing marks a significant development in the legal fallout from Perry’s death, which has already involved multiple defendants, including medical professionals accused of illegally supplying the actor. The case has drawn widespread attention because of Perry’s fame and because it exposed how private networks can facilitate access to controlled substances.
Perry had spoken publicly in the past about his struggles with addiction, and his death renewed discussion about the risks faced by people battling substance abuse, even when they are surrounded by support staff and medical contacts. The court proceedings have focused on how ketamine was obtained, who profited from it, and the role played by individuals close to Perry.
Iwamasa’s prison sentence reflects the seriousness of the conduct described by prosecutors, who said he helped administer a powerful drug to someone without medical oversight. The case continues to stand as one of the most closely watched celebrity-related legal cases in recent years.
The BBC’s Shaimaa Khalil reported from outside the courtroom in Los Angeles as the sentence was handed down.
