Matthew Perry’s assistant took the dead star's car for a joyride hours after he died, a close friend claims

A newly released letter from the actor's longtime publicist claims Kenneth Iwamasa drove Perry's car at 4 AM and texted that he was "loving it."

When we lose someone we love, we expect those closest to them to grieve. Instead, a new letter claims the man paid to protect Matthew Perry used the actor's death to live out a luxury fantasy.

WHAT HAPPENED

Matthew Perry’s longtime publicist, Lisa Calio, wrote a letter to the judge before the sentencing of Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. She claims that just hours after the Friends star died in 2023, Iwamasa took one of Perry's cars for a late-night drive.

Calio says she received a text from Iwamasa at 4 AM as he drove the car from Hollywood Hills to Pacific Palisades. The text said he was "loving it."

She also claims Iwamasa watched Perry have seizures and did not tell his friends or family. She says the assistant only cared about keeping up his own expensive lifestyle.

What the evidence shows

• 4:00 AM: The time of the text message Iwamasa allegedly sent while driving Perry's car.
• 30 years: How long Lisa Calio worked with Matthew Perry.
• 15 years: The maximum prison sentence Iwamasa faces for his role in Perry's death.
• 1 injection: The final ketamine dose Iwamasa admitted giving Perry before leaving him alone in a hot tub.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

This story makes us look at how we treat famous people who struggle with addiction. When a star pays for help, who is really looking out for them?

It seems Perry was surrounded by people who saw him as a paycheck rather than a person who needed saving.

THE OTHER SIDE

Iwamasa has pled guilty to his charges and admits he was the middleman between Perry and drug dealers. His lawyers have argued in court that he was caught up in the actor's severe addiction and could not say no to his boss. While it is true that addiction can cause people to make terrible choices, the evidence of his actions after the death makes it hard to see him as just a victim of the situation.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

This case shows the dark side of personal assistant jobs in Hollywood. It will likely make other wealthy people look closer at who they hire to manage their lives.

For regular families, it is a sad reminder of how easily drug dealers can target people who have money.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

Why did the assistant feel safe sending that late-night text to Perry's publicist?

• Did other staff members know that the assistant was giving Perry drugs?
• How will this letter affect the final prison sentence the judge gives today?