Matthew Perry’s final moments before his death in 2023 from the acute effects of ketamine have been revealed in newly released court documents obtained by NBC News. Perry reportedly asked his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, for help administering the drug three times. Iwamasa, along with four other individuals, has been indicted on federal charges related to the actor’s death. An autopsy showed that Perry died as a result of the acute effects of ketamine.
Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. On the day of Perry’s death, Iwamasa administered three doses of ketamine to the actor, with the last dose being given just 40 minutes before Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub. Prosecutors allege that these doses led to Perry’s death. Iwamasa claimed to have administered a total of 27 doses in the final five days of Perry’s life, following instructions from another individual.
Friends and family of Matthew Perry were shocked and saddened by Iwamasa’s arrest, as they were unaware of the severity of Perry’s addiction prior to his death. Perry had opened up about his past struggles with ketamine and other substances in his memoir, where he revealed that ketamine was a popular street drug in the 1980s and he used a prescribed treatment to help with pain and depression. Perry found comfort in the drug because it was different and offered a sense of relief.
The sudden and tragic death of Matthew Perry has shed light on his struggles with addiction and the impact it had on his life. Perry’s friends and family were caught off guard by the news of his death and the circumstances leading up to it. The actor’s use of ketamine as a coping mechanism for pain and depression had long been a part of his life, as detailed in his memoir. Despite attempts to seek relief through the drug, Perry ultimately succumbed to its acute effects.
The involvement of Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s assistant, in administering the ketamine that led to the actor’s death has raised questions about the responsibility of those around individuals struggling with addiction. Iwamasa’s guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death highlights the dangers of enabling behavior and the devastating consequences it can have. Perry’s untimely death serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of substance abuse and the need for greater awareness and support for those battling addiction.
In the aftermath of Matthew Perry’s death, his friends and family have been processing their grief and coming to terms with the loss of a beloved actor and friend. The revelation of Perry’s struggles with addiction and the circumstances surrounding his death have added a layer of complexity to their mourning. As they navigate this difficult time, they are left with questions about what could have been done differently and how they can honor Perry’s memory moving forward. The legacy of Matthew Perry will be one of talent, humor, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction.
