Matthew Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to charges connected to the actor’s death. The U.S. Department of Justice stated on August 15 that Iwamasa admitted his involvement in Perry’s death, specifically citing “the acute effects of ketamine” as the cause.
Iwamasa, who was among five individuals charged in connection with Perry’s death, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, resulting in death. According to the Department of Justice, Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine, despite lacking medical training, including on the day Perry died, October 28, 2023.
Other defendants named in the case include Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Salvador Plascencia. Sangha faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and ketamine.
Dr. Plascencia, along with another doctor, Mark Chavez, and Erik Fleming, were also implicated in the conspiracy. Chavez and Fleming have already entered guilty pleas and could face significant prison time.
Perry’s death was ruled as an accidental overdose due to the acute effects of ketamine, along with complications from drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.