Matthew Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, and stepfather, Keith Morrison, were in federal court as the late actor’s former live-in assistant was sentenced in connection with his death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, who worked as Perry’s live-in assistant, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison on Wednesday, May 27. PEOPLE reported that Suzanne and Keith Morrison were photographed arriving at the Los Angeles federal courthouse for the sentencing.
Iwamasa was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Iwamasa Was Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison
Iwamasa, 61, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and serious bodily injury. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said he obtained and repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine, including on the day Perry died in October 2023.
Federal prosecutors said Iwamasa had known Perry since 1992 and became his live-in personal assistant in 2022. In that role, he helped coordinate Perry’s medical care and medication, which made the betrayal of trust a major part of the government’s sentencing argument.
Perry’s Family Said They Trusted Him
Suzanne Morrison submitted a victim impact statement before sentencing. PEOPLE reported that she wrote Perry had trusted Iwamasa and that the family had trusted him too.
In the statement, Morrison described Iwamasa’s most important job as being Perry’s companion and guardian in his fight against addiction. That trust was central to the family’s pain as they watched the sentencing of someone who had been part of Perry’s daily life.
Perry Died in October 2023
Perry was found dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28, 2023. He was 54. Reuters reported that an autopsy concluded he died from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and other factors contributing.
Reuters also reported that Iwamasa admitted to repeatedly administering ketamine without medical training and received a reduced sentence because of his cooperation in the prosecution of others charged in the case.
Iwamasa Apologized in Court
During the sentencing, Iwamasa apologized to Perry’s loved ones. PEOPLE reported that he said he would forever regret his illegal acts and offered condolences to Perry’s family.
Prosecutors argued that Iwamasa became an enabler and supplier instead of helping Perry maintain sobriety. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said he had seen warning signs before Perry’s death and continued arranging and administering ketamine.
The Sentencing Closed the Case Against Five Defendants
Iwamasa was the fifth and final defendant sentenced in connection with Perry’s death, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The other defendants were Erik Fleming, Mark Chavez, Salvador Plasencia, and Jasveen Sangha.
The sentences varied widely. PEOPLE reported that Fleming received 24 months in prison, Chavez received probation with home detention and community service, Plasencia received 30 months in prison, and Sangha was sentenced to 15 years.