What Matthew Perry’s Stepdad Keith Morrison Said to the "Ketamine Queen” At Her Sentencing
Matthew Perry’s mother Suzanne Morrison has many regrets.
And chief among them is placing her family’s trust in Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s assistant at the time of his 2023 death, who later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine in connection to the Friends star’s passing.
In a victim impact statement filed and obtained by E! News May 21 ahead of Iwamasa’s sentencing, Morrison said Iwamasa’s “most important job” was to act as Perry’s “companion and guardian in his fight against addiction” with the intention of keeping the actor “drug free.”
Instead, Iwamasa repeatedly helped administer ketamine to Perry, including on the day of his death, which he admitted to as part of a plea agreement with the Department of Justice.
“Instead of protecting Matthew, he aided and abetted illegal drug taking, arranged for one source of supply, then another," Morrison wrote in her letter. "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."
In her letter, Morrison also alleges that Iwamasa attempted to remain close to Perry’s family after his death, writing that he “kept a sharp eye on" her.
"He sent me songs,” she continued. “He drew a little map to help me find my way around the cemetery. If he saw a rainbow—one of Matthew's favorite things—he would call me.”
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Morrison also alleged that Iwamasa “insisted” on speaking at the funeral for Perry, "as if he was somehow the good guy who tried to save” him.
Now, looking back, Morrison is haunted by his involvement in her son’s life. As she put it, “We trusted a man without a conscience, and my son paid the price."
And while she is grateful for the investigation into her son’s death, and the justice she hopes will come, for Morrison it feels as though closure will never come.
"Ask any mother whose child has been torn away so mercilessly," she wrote. "Nothing takes this pain away, nor will it, I am sure, for as long as [I] live."
Iwamasa is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27, per NBC News.
Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images
Since Perry’s 2023 death, Jasveen Sangha—a drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen”—has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to supplying Perry with drugs.
At Sangha’s April sentencing hearing, Perry’s stepdad Keith Morrison—who married the actor’s mom in 1981—addressed her directly.
“I feel bad for you,” he said in his victim’s impact statement, per Today. “I don’t hate you, I’m not angry at you. You’re a drug dealer. The fact is you supplied an addict.”
And on the death of Matthew, the journalist added, “There was a spark to that man that I’ve never seen anywhere else…he was one of a kind. He should have had another act. Two more acts.”
For more loving tributes shared in the wake of Perry’s tragic passing, read on.
Molly Hurwitz/ Instagram
Molly Hurwitz
"He would love that the world is talking about how talented he was. And he really was very talented. As the Friends reunion was approaching, we rewatched the show together. 'F--k, I was so good!!!…See what I did there???' We rewound and studied scenes. Our respect and appreciation of humor is something that connected us. Being with him as he rediscovered his brilliance was magical. But, I obviously knew that man in a very different way, too. While I loved him deeper than I could comprehend, he was complicated, and he caused pain like I’d never known. No one in my adult life has had a more profound impact on me than Matthew Langford Perry. I have tremendous gratitude for that, for everything I learned from our relationship. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Al Anon, an invaluable resource for those who love someone struggling with this destructive disease. Matty, I feel relief that you are at peace.Sincerely,Moll-o-Rama(…fication)."
NBC
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc & David Schwimmer
"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."
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Bradley Whitford
"Matthew Perry made me laugh. Hard. You have not lived until you havewitnessed one of his in-between-the-takes confidential riffs on the absurdity of show business and the idiocy of male confidence, wrapped up perfectly with the sudden realization that we were both grown men who wear makeup for a living. Without substances, Matt had a huge, open heart and a pyrotechnical, joyous brain. I think the most beautiful parts of Matt made him the most vulnerable to the monster that he would have to fight for the rest of his life. His battle was heroic. They don’t have award shows for that. They should. Matt was full of contradictions. He was hilariously self deprecating and insecure and wildly self confident. He was a fountain of light with a huge capacity for darkness. He was profoundly blessed and terribly cursed.I want his parents to know that Matt was kind. Not just to his costar. To everyone. To honor Matt, I hope we can continue the work that mattered most to him: to open our hearts to so many who share his vulnerabilities, to encourage them to get the help they need, and to give them the love and the support they deserve. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Matt, to spend some precious time with him, and most of all, to be his friend."
Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images
Ben Winston
"I feel so unbelievably lucky to have been able to make that reunion show with six truly remarkable people, witnessing their precious unbreakable bond with each other. Spending time with Matthew was simply a dream come true. Kind, caring… and a comedic genius."
Stephen Lovekin/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images/Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic
Gwyneth Paltrow
"I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts," Gwyneth Paltrow wrote in a tribute on Instagram. "We were both there for most of the summer doing plays. He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with. We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer. He had shot the pilot of Friends but it had not aired yet. He was nervous, hoping his big break was just around the corner. It was. We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did. I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do."
Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Clinique/Screen Media Films / Dayn Nanda / E! News
Adele
During Adele's Oct. 28 concert in Las Vegas, which took place just hours after Matthew's death was confirmed, she paused her show to honor him, recalling the impact he had on her childhood. "One of my friends, Andrew, when I was 12 did the best Chandler impression," she told the crowd. "And he would do it all the time to make us laugh. And if anyone was having a bad day or feeling low, he would just pretend to be Chandler. And I'll remember that character for the rest of my life."
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Maggie Wheeler
Maggie Wheeler, who played one of Perry's most memorable love interests on Friends, wrote on Instagram, "What a loss.The world will miss you Matthew Perry . The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared."
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Salma Hayek
After his passing, Perry's Fools Rush In costar Salma Hayek noted it took a "couple of days to process this profound sadness."
"There is a special bond that happens when you share dreams with someone, and together you work towards them," she wrote in an Oct. 30 Instagram post. "I was very moved last year when Matthew shared on his Instagram stories how much he loved 'Fools Rush In,' and how he thought that that film we did together was probably his best movie."
"Throughout the years, he and I found ourselves reminiscing about that meaningful time in our lives with a deep sense of nostalgia and gratitude," she continued. "My friend, you are gone much too soon, but I will continue to cherish your silliness, your perseverance, and your lovely heart. Farewell, sweet Matthew, we will never forget you."
Nicholas Hunt / Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
Ione Skye
Alongside her final texts with Matthew days before his death, his former costar Ione Skye wrote on Instagram, "My last exchange a week ago. I’m very very sad. Loved this guy."
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images, Cindy Ord/WireImage
Kathleen Turner
Kathleen Turner, who played Chandler Bing's parent on Friends, told People, "He had a good sense of humor and a good heart. He liked other people, which, to me, is terribly important, especially for an actor."
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Shannen Doherty
The Beverly Hills, 90210 star remembered her time spent with the Emmy nominee.
"Matt always had THAT sense of humor," she wrote on Instagram. "Matt and I had a date and it was on Valentine's Day. He wanted to get a reservation at a restaurant in Malibu but couldn't so my dad got the reservation for him. We went and he talked about my dads Irish persuasiveness the majority of the night. Our friendship spanned a long time. A lifetime really. I know many are hurting, especially our little gang. He will be missed by many and definitely by us. Yes. I could be more poetic or say things better but right now, shock and sadness prevail."
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler Bing's mother on Friends, paid tribute to her onscreen son, captioning a social media post, "I'm heartbroken about the untimely death of my ‘son'. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. I'm sending love & condolences to his friends & family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Flamingo Road & Falcon Crest."
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Se?zane
Rumer Willis
The Whole Nine Yards actress, who worked alongside dad Bruce Willis and Perry during the 2000 film, shared a touching tribute after Perry's passing.
"I'm so sad to hear about Matthew Perry passing," she captioned an Instagram post. "When I was a kid and I was on set while he and my dad were doing whole nine and whole 10 yards he was so kind and funny and sweet with my sisters and me and I think his physical comedy and that movie still makes me laugh so much, I know he had many challenges in his life and brought a lot of joy to people with his comedy I hope he can rest peacefully."
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Paget Brewster
Paget Brewster, who played the role of Kathy in the fourth season of Friends, remembered the time spent alongside the actor on set.
"I'm so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry," she wrote on X. "He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won't rest in peace though.. He's already too busy making everyone laugh up there."
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images
Yvette Nicole Brown
Perry's Odd Couple costar reflected on his legacy, sharing a statement to social media.
"Our #OddCouple family suffered a great loss today," she wrote on X, alongside a photo featuring the cast. "The entire entertainment world has. I am too sad about the news to say more than this: @mattyperry4 was a sweetheart who deserved more peace in this life. 54 is too young to go. We love you, Matty! #RIPMatthewPerry."
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for A+E
Olivia Munn
The Violet star praised the actor for opening up about his sobriety journey after his passing.
"He struggled so much with addiction and was brave enough to be open and honest about it," Olivia Munn wrote on Instagram Story Oct. 28. "I'm so sorry to his family and friends who are getting this news today. Nothing short of heartbreaking."
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