Perry and assistant spent $80k on ketamine in a month

Matthew Perry and his assistant Kenny Iwamasa spent at least $US55,000 ($A82,000) on ketamine in the 29 days before the actor's death.

The Friends star died in October 2023 at the age of 54 after suffering an overdose of the drug and court documents reveal the TV star and his live-in helper spent thousands purchasing 55 ketamine vials and injections in the weeks leading up to the tragedy.

According to Us Weekly, court documents filed as part of a criminal case against Iwamasa, 59, reveal the actor and his assistant spent a minimum of $US55,000 on the tranquilliser in less than a month. 

Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and faces up to 15 years in prison.

The outlet reports the documents state Perry and Iwamasa met a doctor in a car park of injections that took place in the back of a car.

They also suggest Iwamasa handed over thousands of dollars in cash to get hold of bottles of ketamine, allegedly spending $US6000 on 25 vials just nine days after he purchased 25 bottles.

Court documents filed as part of Iwamasa's plea agreement previously revealed he injected the actor with the drug three times on the day of his death, which was attributed to drowning in the hot tub at his Pacific Palisades mansion and the “acute effects” ketamine.

Four other people - including two doctors - have been arrested and charged in connection with supplying the drugs that killed the actor.

Perry's stepfather - Dateline presenter Keith Morrison - has since thanked authorities for taking the case "seriously".

“We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously," he said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.

"We look forward to justice taking its course and we’re grateful for the exceptional work of the multiple agencies whose agents investigated Matthew’s death. We’re hoping unscrupulous suppliers of dangerous drugs will get the message."

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said of the case: “Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials. 

"Every day, the DEA works tirelessly with our federal, state, and local partners to protect the public and to hold accountable those that distribute deadly and dangerous drugs, whether they are local drug traffickers or doctors who violate their sworn oath to care for patients."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store