Suzanne Morrison, the mother of late "Friends" star Matthew Perry, has condemned her son's longtime assistant Kenneth Iwamasa in an emotional letter obtained by TMZ ahead of his criminal sentencing.
Morrison stated that the family trusted Iwamasa for 25 years to protect Perry during his battle with addiction, but instead he arranged illicit drug supplies and repeatedly injected the actor without medical qualifications.
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Perry died on October 28, 2023, after being found in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home due to acute effects of ketamine, which he originally sought for depression therapy before obtaining it through an underground network.
The legal fallout also exposed the double life of North Hollywood drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," who received a 15-year prison sentence on April 8 after pleading guilty to distributing the fatal batch.
A Mother's Grief and Betrayal
In her written statement, Morrison described her profound grief and the scene at Perry's home on the night of his death.
"My name is Suzanne.
I am also Momma-Mooma, the name my son Matthew gave me," she said, recalling the deep bond they shared through unique nicknames.
Morrison detailed the harrowing experience of seeing her son's body exposed in his yard while media helicopters loomed overhead.
"He was, in spite of all we went through, my heart and soul.
And then one night he was just a body, lying all but naked on the cold, damp grass of his backyard," she said.
She described her feelings of helplessness while standing outside her son's home during the emergency response.
"Helicopters circled overhead, eager for a glimpse of my dead little boy, a picture they could show the whole world while I stood out on the street in the cold and begged for a blanket to cover him.
Impossible, of course," she said.
Morrison noted that she found a brief moment of peace the following day when viewing her son after he was prepared by mortuary staff.
"Matthew fought for half his life – more than half – against addiction. Fought and failed and came back to fight again," she said.
She explained that the family initially felt relief when Iwamasa took on the role of Perry's primary companion.
"He had known Kenny, and so had we, for 25 years," said Morrison.
Morrison emphasized the immense trust the family placed in Iwamasa regarding Perry's sobriety goals.
"Matthew trusted Kenny. We trusted Kenny.
Kenny's most important job – by far – was to be my son's companion and guardian in his fight against addiction," she said.
She stated that Iwamasa had a vast support network available to help him if he ever faced undue pressure while guarding Perry.
"His number one responsibility – ensure that Matthew remained what he wanted to be: drug free.
Kenny knew, should he feel unduly pressured, that with one phone call to any number of the people in Matthew's orbit, reinforcements would be on the way, and his job would be safe," said Morrison.
Morrison recounted how Iwamasa monitored her closely after Perry's death, even suggesting a speaking role at the funeral service where he clung to her.
"And when he had killed my son, he kept a sharp eye on me.
He sent me songs, he drew a little map to help me find my way around the cemetery," she said.
She expressed bitterness over trusting an individual who ultimately failed to protect her son.
"We trusted a man without a conscience, and my son paid the price," said Morrison.
The letter concluded with Morrison stating that the emotional trauma of losing her son would remain with her indefinitely.
"Nothing takes this pain away, nor will it, I am sure, for as long as I live," she said.
Friend Shocked by 'Ketamine Queen's' Double Life
Meanwhile, Nicole Russo, a friend of co-defendant Jasveen Sangha, detailed her personal shock regarding Sangha's secret drug operation during an interview with Fox News Digital for the Investigation Discovery series "Hollywood Demons."
"I feel betrayed," said Russo, explaining that she was entirely unaware of the illegal activities Sangha was conducting behind closed doors.
"We're talking about someone who was a friend of mine. I didn't know the other side of what was going on — the dealing.
And so many lives were affected. She was living two lives.
There was a duality to her, I guess, a hidden aspect to her life. She kept that side hidden.
She may have opened up to somebody else. She definitely did not open up to me," said Russo.
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Russo recalled meeting Sangha around 2011 through the concert and music industry, noting Sangha's vibrant personality at the time.
"I remember she was very sweet, young and bubbly," said Russo.
She explained that they bonded quickly over their shared experiences growing up within dual cultural backgrounds.
"I instantly loved her. I felt she was more mature compared to the other girls, so she stood out.
She wanted to be seen, but that's what pretty girls do. She wanted to be liked.
She knew all the guys from the events. And I guess we all want to fit somewhere, right?
But we connected because we both had dual cultures. I'm Italian American, and she's Indian British American.
We often spoke about our families. We just clicked," said Russo.
Russo stated that Sangha never exhibited signs of heavy drug usage or promoted narcotics during their social interactions at high-end parties.
"I wouldn't have been so friendly if I had seen her in a situation where she was all drugged out," said Russo.
She mentioned that while social drinking occurred at these events, Sangha always maintained control of her behavior.
"She wanted to get noticed by the guys, cozy up to them and go to the hip parties, but nothing was ever drug-related.
Of course, there was drinking. Drinks go hand in hand at these events.
There are always guys buying drinks or girls getting free drinks, things like that. But even then, I never saw her wasted.
Now, I wasn't there sitting and looking at everything everyone did, but she didn't push that vibe to me," said Russo.
Russo noticed Sangha's wardrobe became increasingly expensive over the years, though she assumed it was a natural progression of adulthood.
"I just saw her as a young girl becoming a woman," said Russo.
The two women shared wine at Russo's home shortly before Sangha's arrest, where Russo complimented her appearance in recent photos.
"Not long after that, the scandal broke and everything went to pieces," said Russo.
Russo stated she was completely unfamiliar with ketamine until she faced online backlash after commenting on an Instagram photo belonging to Sangha.
"I didn't even know what ketamine was, let alone how to say it," said Russo.
Russo described her initial disbelief and anger when internet searches revealed Sangha's connection to Perry's death.
"I wanted to scream out," said Russo.
She questioned Sangha's motivations for entering the illegal drug trade, noting that it cost Sangha her freedom.
"I just kept saying to myself, 'This is not the Jasveen I know.' She must have gone the wrong way to make an easy buck.
I don't know what her thinking was. I certainly don't condone it.
But my first reaction was shock. It felt like I lost someone to death," said Russo.
Russo expressed anger that Sangha chose a destructive path to build her business lifestyle.
"I then got mad," said Russo.
She stated that she never envisioned Sangha becoming a public figure under such tragic and criminal circumstances.
"She threw her life away. I had no idea she was involved with drugs.
How could she have partaken in a situation that caused someone's death? There are different ways to be an entrepreneur," said Russo.
Federal prosecutors stated that Perry's illicit procurement network included Iwamasa, Sangha, and two physicians, including Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who received a 2.5-year prison sentence for illegally selling ketamine to the actor.
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"I never expected her to be famous for something like this," said Russo.
