Keith Morrison, stepfather of the late actor Matthew Perry, has spoken out for the first time since the arrests of five individuals linked to Perry’s tragic death from a ketamine overdose. In a statement released to NBC News, the Morrison family expressed their profound sorrow, stating, “We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously.” The statement continued, “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.”
Five individuals, including Perry’s personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, have been charged in connection with the actor’s death. Perry, who passed away in October, received multiple injections of ketamine from Iwamasa, who discovered Perry’s body and was the first to speak with investigators. Reports indicate that Iwamasa administered 27 ketamine injections over the final five days of Perry’s life, communicating with his co-defendants in coded language. Prosecutors have emphasized that Iwamasa lacked any medical training or expertise in administering controlled substances. The potential sentence for Iwamasa is 15 years in prison.
Ketamine, while not approved for treating depression, anxiety, or pain, has seen increasing off-label use for these conditions. It is also used in high doses as a sedative. The circumstances surrounding Perry’s death have raised concerns about the potential dangers of off-label use and the need for greater awareness and regulation of ketamine’s distribution.
