Prosecutors reportedly alleged that Matthew Perry’s former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, tried covering up evidence linked to the “Friends” star’s death.
The prosecution alleged that Iwamasa, Perry’s former live-in assistant, directed someone else to destroy ketamine evidence following his death, TMZ reported May 26, citing a court filing. He allegedly also directed the shredding of records and scrubbing of digital documents. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner ruled that ketamine was Perry’s leading cause of death, according to a 2023 statement.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 14: Actor Matthew Perry arrives at the 9th Annual Dinner Benefiting the Lili Claire Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 14, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Federal officials alleged that Iwamasa lied to investigators by hiding that he gave the famous actor multiple shots of Ketamine the day he died. He also claimed Perry hid the ketamine bottles personally, but prosecutors disputed the claim, according to TMZ.
Prosecutors alleged that Iwamasa told an individual identified as “B.M.” to dispose of ketamine vials and syringes following Perry’s death, according to the documents. He allegedly ordered the destruction of a handwritten note that reportedly identified Dr. Salvador Plasencia as the source of the ketamine as well as a ketamine prescription.
Iwamasa later admitted that he “cleaned up the scene,” “deleted everything” and altered Perry’s devices’ passwords, prosecutors said.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 22: Matthew Perry appears on stage at the 2023 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Prosecutors alleged that Iwamasa exploited both Matthew Perry’s trust and the confidence placed in him by Perry’s family, who believed he was helping the actor navigate and overcome his addiction struggles, according to the court filing.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death, accepting a plea deal.
Prosecutors are pursuing a 41-month jail term. Iwamasa is set to be sentenced Wednesday. (RELATED: Drug Counselor Erik Fleming Sentenced To Two Years For Distributing Ketamine That Killed ‘Friends’ Star Matthew Perry)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MAY 10: Actress Courteney Cox Arquette (L) and actor Matthew Perry attend the AFI Associates luncheon honoring Hollywood’s Arquette family with the 6th Annual “Platinum Circle Award” held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 10, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images for AFI)
Jasveen Sangha, who prosecutors said was known as the “ketamine queen,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison for supplying the ketamine that caused Perry’s death, according to The Associated Press (AP). Dr. Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release for illegally distributing ketamine.
Erik Fleming was sentenced to two years after confessing to one count of distributing ketamine leading to death, the AP reported. Dr. Mark Chavez, one of the physicians implicated in supplying ketamine to Perry, was sentenced to eight months confined to his home and three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and avoided prison time.
Perry died Oct. 28, 2023 at the age of 54.
Editor’s note: Article updated to include a link to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s statement on Perry’s death.