Matthew Perry, beloved for his role on the hit TV series “Friends,” died on October 28, 2023, from an accidental ketamine overdose. He was 54. There has been an inquest into his death, specifically how he was in possession of ketamine, and his former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, had pleaded guilty to “one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death,” People reports.
Matthew Perry’s Family Reacts to His Assistant’s Sentencing
GettyIwamasa’s sentencing was made on Wednesday, May 27, when a judge ruled that he would serve 41 months in prison for his involvement, ultimately resulting in Perry’s death, People reports. For Perry’s family, this is not enough, and his heartbroken stepfather, Keith Morrison, publicly reacted to the sentencing in a statement given to the press at the Los Angeles federal courthouse.
“I’m glad it’s done, but to say I’m angry is an understatement,” Morrison said. “What happens if Matthew gets into any trouble with drugs at all? You call. Instead, he controlled him by the use of ketamine.” Morrison shared the family’s grief, noting how it had not gotten easier despite the passing of time. “He’s still lying in a box in the cemetery, and it still makes us sad every day. His mother is truly broken.”
Iwamasa addressed the family in his sentencing, offering them a sincere apology. “I’m so sorry to all of you,” he said. “You all know how much Matthew loved you. I’m so sorry to have done illegal acts. I will forever regret it and I will take it to my grave and be a cautionary tale and make better choices than I did. I’m horribly, horribly sorry and I offer my condolences to you.”
Matthew Perry’s Mom Makes Heartbreaking Statement
GettyThis is the latest update in a painful case, and Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, has previously mourned the loss of her son, including sharing a victim impact statement, obtained by People. “We trusted a man without a conscience, and my son paid the price,” she said of Iwamasa. She also spoke candidly about her heartache, referring to the late actor as her “heart and my soul.”
She continued, “Ask any mother whose child has been torn away so mercilessly. Nothing takes this pain away, nor will it, I am sure, for as long as [I] live.”
In April, Perry’s stepmother, Debbie Perry, also shared a victim impact statement with the courts, expressing her grief. Her statement was aimed at Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” who was also on trial for her part in the actor’s tragic passing. “The pain you’ve caused to hundreds maybe thousands is irreversible,” Debbie wrote in a statement obtained by People. “There is no joy… No light in the window. They won’t be back.”
She continued, “You caused this… You who has talent for business enough to make money chose the one way that hurts people.” Debbie asked the judge to “Please give this heartless woman the maximum prison sentence so she won’t be able to hurt other families like ours.”
