Federal authorities have revealed that Matthew Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, played a key role in the actor’s tragic overdose. Iwamasa is accused of purchasing illicit drugs, including from a supplier described as a “master chef,” and administering a fatal dose of ketamine that ultimately led to Perry’s shocking death.
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV show *Friends*, was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his rented Los Angeles home last October. Initially believed to be a drowning, further investigation revealed that Perry had been injected with a lethal dose of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic often used illicitly.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s longtime assistant of nearly three decades, has since confessed to federal charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, resulting in the actor’s death. According to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, Perry had relapsed in his battle with substance abuse, and a group of five individuals, including Iwamasa, allegedly exploited this vulnerability for their own gain.
The Department of Justice announced on Thursday that Iwamasa, 59, could face up to 15 years in prison. The allegations also implicate Dr. Salvador Plascencia, who, along with Iwamasa, provided Perry with approximately 20 vials of ketamine over a two-month period. Plascencia and Iwamasa, who had lived with Perry since 1994, are accused of administering the fatal injections.
The investigation has led to the arrest of five individuals connected to Perry’s death. The group, allegedly led by Jasveen Sangha, 41, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Plascencia, 42, is charged with exploiting Perry’s addiction. Alongside Iwamasa, the group includes Dr. Mark Chavez and Eric Fleming, who are also in custody. All five face charges related to drug distribution and conspiracy.
Prosecutors allege that Iwamasa administered 27 ketamine injections in the final days of Perry’s life. The fatal dose, reportedly sourced from a mysterious supplier, was given on the day of Perry’s death. The DOJ stated that Iwamasa, despite lacking medical training, injected Perry multiple times, leading to the actor’s untimely demise.
