Matthew Perry’s mother says her son ‘paid the price’ ahead of assistant sentencing

Matthew Perry’s mother spoke in victim impact statement ahead of his former assistant’s sentencing in ketamine case

Matthew Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, has said her son “paid the price” after placing trust in his former personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, ahead of his sentencing in connection with the actor’s death.

Perry was found dead in his hot tub on October 28 2023 at the age of 54. A medical examination determined the cause of death as “acute effects of ketamine.”

According to the US Department of Justice, Iwamasa “repeatedly” injected Perry with ketamine “without medical training,” including on the day of his death.

Prosecutors say he faces up to 15 years in prison, with a recommended sentence of 41 months plus three years of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for May 27.

In a victim impact statement, Morrison said the family believed Iwamasa understood Perry’s struggle with addiction and had been entrusted to act as his “companion and guardian” to support his recovery and keep him drug-free.

“But instead of protecting Matthew, he aided and abetted illegal drug taking, arranged for one source of supply, then another,” Morrison wrote.

“Shot the drugs into Matthew's body, though he was not in the least qualified.. He did it even though he could see, anyone could have seen, it was so obviously dangerous. And he did it again and again.”

Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Prosecutors allege he coordinated with others to obtain and administer ketamine to Perry.

Morrison also reflected on the aftermath, describing continued contact from Iwamasa after Perry’s death and his involvement around the funeral.

“He threatened legal action to pry a settlement from workmen's comp,” she wrote. “We trusted a man without a conscience, and my son paid the price.”

She added that while investigators had her gratitude, “closure” was not possible. “Nothing takes this pain away, nor will it, I am sure, for as long as [I] live,” she wrote.