As fans continue to find closure and make peace with the demise of the “Friends” star, so also are new details about Matthew Perry‘s last days before his tragic death unraveling!
The beloved “Friends” star took his final breath on October 28, and Kenny Iwamasa, a 59-year-old Japanese man, is suspected to be the person who discovered the late entertainer unresponsive in the hot tub.
Weeks before the heartbreaking incident, the “Three to Tango” actor and Iwamasa lived together in a lavish Beverly Hills home. The duo reportedly stayed at the rental property for over a year while the TV personality’s Pacific Palisades home was under renovation.
Matthew Perry Lived In $49k-A-Month For A Three-Bedroom Pad With His Executive Assistant
Perry’s death occurred in the jacuzzi of his stunning $6M Pacific Palisades home. The Williamstown native had moved out of the property while it underwent renovations; however, the 54-year-old barely enjoyed the changes as he passed away less than a month after returning to the mansion.
Reports of the “17 Again” star’s demise noted a personal assistant had discovered his body. It is believed the person in question is Iwamasa, who has served as the entertainer’s live-in assistant and caretaker for over 25 years.
It is important to note that Perry’s affairs had been handled by Iwamasa and a second assistant named Briana Brancato. However, Brancato left the TV personality’s side to become a personal trainer a few months before the “Mr. Sunshine” actor’s death.
Given Brancato’s absence, Iwamasa is the likely candidate to have found the TV Guide Award winner’s body in the hot tub. Weeks before the 54-year-old’s death, he was living in a Beverly Hills rental property with his Japanese assistant, per The Daily Mail.
The comedian had been shelling out $49,000 monthly for more than a year for the three-bedroom hillside home. Alongside the multiple bedrooms, the 6,305 sq ft rental property featured three-and-a-half bathrooms with a view overlooking Beverly Hills and the ocean.
The Beverly Hills home’s landlord, John Malakzad, stated he had never personally met Perry but labeled the late actor as a “good tenant who moved out a couple of weeks ago.” As for Iwamasa, the rental property owner described the personal assistant as “an individual living with Perry and monitoring him.”
The rental listing for the Beverly Hills property was removed in June 2022, presumably when “The West Wing” actor began living there with his executive PA. The Williamstown native was frequently spotted at the home since October 2022.
Additionally, Iwamasa had also been photographed driving his employer around Los Angeles, running errands, and emerging from the $49k-a-month. At the moment, the three-bedroom pad was being cleared out for another tenant, with trash cans outside the property housing mattresses, cushions, and other furniture.
Photos of the apartment can be seen here.
Matthew Perry’s Official Death Certificate Adds More Mystery To His Cause Of Death
Before Iwamasa was exposed as the possible person to have discovered Perry’s lifeless body, the “Serving Sara” star’s official death certificate was revealed. In the document, the 54-year-old’s cause of death was listed as “deferred,” raising more eyebrows about what happened to the actor.
The death certificate could not address the mystery surrounding the Golden Globe Award nominee’s passing because of pending investigations and toxicology reports. Perry’s history with substance abuse was no secret, but the TV personality had achieved sobriety, and his close pals confirmed he was sober at the time of his sudden passing.
Nonetheless, a toxicology assessment was necessary as several prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications were discovered in the Williamstown native’s Pacific Palisades home. Additionally, first responders found a prescription COPD drug — a medication for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, usually used for people with emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
It remains uncertain if these medications played a part in Perry’s death, pending the toxicology test results. The Satellite Award nominee’s death certificate also revealed the comedian had spent 38 years in the entertainment industry and cited the “informant” on his death as his step-father Keith Morrison.
The document confirmed that the “Go On” star was laid to rest at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles, California. Perry’s loved ones expressed their heartbreak over his death in an emotional statement that read:
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him, and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
The entertainer’s “Friends” co-stars echoed similar sentiments of loss in a joint statement, noting they were “utterly devastated” by the news. In their words: “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.”
