Ketamine Queen Gets 15-Year Sentence for Role in Matthew Perry’s Death

In a significant legal development, Jasveen Sangha, a 42-year-old Los Angeles resident nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen,” has received a 15-year prison term for her part in the overdose that led to the death of actor Matthew Perry. The sentencing followed her guilty plea in September 2023 to five counts, including distributing ketamine that resulted in fatal consequences.

The Case Against Sangha

Authorities identified Sangha’s North Hollywood residence as a hub for drug distribution, where she sold various substances to affluent clients. During a raid, federal agents uncovered dozens of ketamine vials, alongside thousands of pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax. These findings underscored her role as a key supplier in the network linked to Perry’s demise.

“You caused this… You who has talent for business enough to make money chose the one way that hurts people,”

Debbie Perry, Matthew’s stepmother, asserted in a victim impact statement. She urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, emphasizing the “irreversible” harm Sangha inflicted.

Sangha initially contested the charges but changed her plea in August 2023, just weeks before her trial. As part of the agreement, she admitted guilt for supplying ketamine to Cody McLaury in 2019, who died from an overdose shortly after. The justice department noted she faced up to 65 years in federal prison.

Perry’s Struggle and Legacy

Matthew Perry, famous for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in the 1990s sitcom *Friends*, had battled substance abuse for years. His death in October 2023, discovered in his hot tub, was attributed to the acute effects of ketamine. Despite using it in supervised therapy for depression, his addiction ultimately led to the fatal incident.

Sangha is among five individuals—medical professionals and Perry’s assistant—who were implicated in supplying ketamine, leveraging his dependency for profit. Four others also accepted guilty pleas, while Sangha’s case concluded with a 15-year term. Her legal team had requested leniency, citing her acceptance of responsibility and lack of prior criminal history.

Other Defendants’ Sentences

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who provided Perry with ketamine in the weeks before his death, was sentenced to 30 months in prison in December. Dr. Mark Chavez, a California physician who supplied the drug to Plasencia, received eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release. Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, is set for sentencing later this month, with his team seeking a delay. Eric Fleming, who sold ketamine obtained from Sangha to Perry, will face judgment in June.

Sangha has been in custody since August 2024, as her attorneys prepared for the proceedings. The case highlights the broader network of drug suppliers contributing to Perry’s tragic passing, marking a pivotal moment in the legal aftermath of his death.