Matthew Perry’s Former Publicist Blames Assistant Ahead of Sentencing Hearing

Matthew Perry’s former publicist and longtime friend, Lisa Calio, has accused the late actor’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, of helping cause Perry’s death in a letter submitted before his sentencing hearing.

Iwamasa pleaded guilty to acting as a middleman between Perry and ketamine suppliers. Prosecutors also say he injected Perry with ketamine, including on the night the “Friends” star died in October 2023.

In her letter, Calio said Iwamasa texted her at 4 a.m. shortly after Perry’s death while driving one of Perry’s cars and appeared to be enjoying it. She accused him of caring more about maintaining his lifestyle than protecting Perry, claiming he witnessed Perry suffer severe reactions to drugs without alerting friends or family.

Calio wrote that Iwamasa “killed my friend” by giving Perry a large ketamine injection, heating the jacuzzi and leaving him alone. She also said he later sought a role in the Matthew Perry Foundation, which she and Perry had planned to create to help people struggling with addiction.

Iwamasa is scheduled to be sentenced today and faces up to 15 years in prison.