Matthew Perry’s final words before his death from the acute effects of ketamine have been revealed in newly released court documents. Perry reportedly asked his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa for help administering the drug three times, referring to it as “shoot me up with a big one.” Perry died at the age of 54 in October 2023, and Iwamasa was among five individuals indicted on federal charges related to his death.
An autopsy confirmed that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine in October 2023. Along with Iwamasa, Jasveen Sangha, Mark Chavez, Salvador Plasencia, and Erik Fleming have all been charged in connection with Perry’s death. Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. He administered three doses of ketamine to Perry on the day of his death, with the last dose being 40 minutes before Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub.
Friends and family of Perry were shocked and saddened by Iwamasa’s arrest. A source close to Perry revealed that the actor kept secrets and Iwamasa may have been the only one who knew the extent of Perry’s addiction. Despite not being open about his struggles before his death, Perry had previously discussed his past troubles with addiction in his memoir released in 2022.
In his memoir, Perry talked about the popularity of ketamine as a street drug in the 1980s and its synthetic form. He used a prescribed ketamine treatment to ease pain and depression, explaining that it helped him disassociate from his problems. Perry joked about the drug having his name written all over it and viewed it as something different that was beneficial for him.
Perry’s death raises questions about the dangers of drug use and the responsibility of those around individuals struggling with addiction. The court documents provide insight into the events leading up to Perry’s death and how those involved are facing legal consequences. Despite his troubles, Perry’s legacy as a beloved actor and public figure continues to be remembered by those who knew and admired him.
