• Kenneth Iwamasa sentenced to 41 months for his role in Matthew Perry's death.
• Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a contributing factor.
• Iwamasa admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training.

Kenneth Iwamasa, the former personal assistant to "Friends" star Matthew Perry, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in the actor's death from a ketamine overdose in October 2023. Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death, acknowledging that he injected Perry with the drug multiple times, including three times on the day he died, before leaving him alone in a hot tub where he later drowned, according to LA Times, BBC, Reuters, SCMP, and India Times.

At the sentencing, Judge Sherilyn Garnett highlighted Iwamasa's reckless behavior, stating that he was aware of Perry's addiction and had the responsibility to protect him. Iwamasa's activities contributed significantly to Perry's struggles with substance abuse, leading prosecutors to label him as Perry's "enabler and drug supplier." During his court appearance, Iwamasa expressed remorse, stating, "I’m just so sorry to have done illegal acts that I will forever regret," according to Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and SFGate.

Iwamasa's role in providing ketamine to Perry was part of a larger conspiracy involving multiple defendants, including medical professionals and drug dealers. Prosecutors revealed that Iwamasa worked alongside two doctors who helped supply Perry with the drug, citing him as the last person to see Perry alive and the first to hide evidence after discovering the actor's body. This elaborate scheme exploited Perry's addiction for profit, resulting in the deaths of one of television's beloved stars, according to Channel News Asia and SCMP.

As part of the plea agreement, Iwamasa provided significant cooperation against other co-defendants involved in the case, contributing to a broader investigation that has seen various participants in Perry's tragic saga sentenced to prison or other penalties. During prior hearings, relatives of Perry expressed their frustration over Iwamasa's actions, holding him significantly responsible for failing to assist Perry during critical moments of his struggle with addiction, as noted in court statements from Perry's family members and LA Times, India Times, and BBC.