• Kenneth Iwamasa sentenced to 41 months for injecting Matthew Perry with ketamine.
• Perry died from acute effects of the drug in October 2023.
• Iwamasa admitted to repeatedly administering ketamine without medical training.
• He is the fifth defendant sentenced in connection with Perry's death.
• Perry's family accused Iwamasa of betraying their trust while enabling the actor's addiction.

Kenneth Iwamasa, the personal assistant to actor Matthew Perry, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in the actor's death. This conclusion marks the end of criminal proceedings against five individuals involved in supplying the drug that contributed to Perry's fatal overdose. Iwamasa had repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine without any medical training, with over 25 doses administered in the weeks leading to Perry's death on October 28, 2023, according to Los Angeles Times, BBC, Reuters, South China Morning Post.

He faced a maximum of 15 years in prison before reaching a plea agreement, which included key testimony against other defendants involved in the case. When Iwamasa discovered Perry unconscious in a hot tub, investigators indicated he proceeded to cover up evidence related to the actor's drug use, which exacerbated the situation leading to Perry's death. U.S. Attorney's office characterized Iwamasa as Perry's "enabler and drug supplier," underscoring his responsibility in the legal proceedings, as outlined by India Times and Le Monde.

Perry's death was attributed to the acute effects of ketamine, in conjunction with drowning, as determined in the autopsy report. The actor, 54, had battled addiction for many years. Perry's family members expressed deep disappointment and betrayal, stating that Iwamasa's primary obligation was to support Perry in his struggles with addiction. They criticized his actions in letters submitted to the court, which contributed to the framing of Iwamasa as lacking moral conscience in his role, as noted by Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

In addition to Iwamasa, other co-defendants have also faced sentencing, including Jasveen Sangha, the "Ketamine Queen," who received the longest sentence of 15 years for her role in the case. Medical professionals involved in supplying ketamine to Perry were also sentenced for their contributions to the actor's overdose. This systemic issue of enabling addiction through illegal drug distribution has brought attention to the broader implications concerning substance abuse treatment and the responsibility of those surrounding individuals with addiction problems, as highlighted in BBC and Reuters.