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The sentencing concludes a high-profile probe into the supply chain that provided Friends star Matthew Perry with the surgical anaesthetic that caused his death in October 2023
The judge highlighted Jasveen Sangha’s “callous disregard” for human life, noting that she continued to distribute drugs even after learning of Matthew Perry’s death. File image/X
Jasveen Sangha, the notorious drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen”, was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years in federal prison. The sentence follows her role in the 2023 overdose death of beloved Friends actor Matthew Perry. Sangha, 42, had previously pleaded guilty to five federal counts, including distribution of ketamine resulting in death and maintaining a drug-involved premises. During the hearing in Los Angeles, Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett described the defendant’s actions as a series of “horrible decisions” that shattered lives, ultimately siding with the prosecution’s recommended term.
What led to the 15-year sentence for Jasveen Sangha?
The sentencing concludes a high-profile investigation into the supply chain that provided Matthew Perry with the surgical anaesthetic that caused his death in October 2023. Prosecutors established that Sangha operated an “emporium” from her North Hollywood home, catering to high-end clients with a variety of illegal substances. Evidence revealed that she sold Perry approximately 50 vials of ketamine through middlemen in the weeks leading up to his passing.
Critically, the judge highlighted Sangha’s “callous disregard” for human life, noting that she continued to distribute drugs even after learning of Perry’s death. This followed a similar pattern from 2019, when another client, Cody McLaury, died after purchasing ketamine from her. Despite facing a potential maximum of 65 years, the 15-year term reflects a plea agreement where Sangha finally took responsibility for her actions, stating in court that she now wears her shame “like a jacket”.
How many others were involved in the Matthew Perry case?
Sangha was the most prominent of five defendants charged in connection with the actor’s death. The investigation uncovered a “broad underground criminal network” that included Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and two medical professionals. While Perry had been receiving legal ketamine infusion therapy for depression, he eventually sought out illegal sources to satisfy an escalating addiction.
Among the other defendants, Dr Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his role in providing the actor with the drug. Another physician, Dr Mark Chavez, and Perry’s live-in assistant have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting their final verdicts.
What was the reaction from the Perry family?
The sentencing was attended by Matthew Perry’s family, including his mother, Suzanne Perry, and his stepfather, Keith Morrison. In a moving victim-impact statement, Perry’s stepmother, Debbie Perry, described the pain caused by Sangha as “irreversible” and “heartless”. She urged the court to impose a significant sentence to ensure no other families would suffer a similar tragedy.
With Sangha now headed to federal prison, the legal saga surrounding the death of the 54-year-old actor draws closer to its end. The case has served as a stark warning regarding the dangers of the illicit ketamine trade and the exploitation of individuals struggling with substance misuse.
April 09, 2026, 04:52 IST
