Ketamine Dealer Pleads Guilty in Matthew Perry's Death Case

Jasveen Sangha, widely known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has pleaded guilty to supplying the powerful anesthetic that led to the death of actor Matthew Perry, worldwide known for his part as Chandler Bing in Friends. The 42-year-old entered guilty pleas on five counts, including distribution of ketamine resulting in Perry’s death and maintaining a property used as a site for drug use. Under her plea agreement, Sangha faces a minimum sentence of 11 years in federal prison.

Sangha is the fifth and final individual to admit involvement in the case surrounding Perry, who was found dead in his Hollywood home jacuzzi in October 2023. Authorities ruled the cause of death as “acute effects of ketamine,” a potent drug increasingly used recreationally and sometimes prescribed for depression. Sanga has been in federal custody for nearly a year and is expected to appear in Los Angeles court in the coming weeks.

Earlier admissions in the case included Perry’s personal physician, Dr. Salvador Placencia, who acknowledged providing ketamine to Perry, though not the fatal dose. Three others, Eric Fleming, Kenneth Iwomasa (Perry’s assistant), and Dr. Mark Chaves, also pleaded guilty in connection with supplying the drug. Prosecutors allege that Sangha and Fleming provided Iwomasa with 51 vials of liquid ketamine shortly before Perry’s death, which Iwomasa then administered.

Following Perry’s passing at age 54, Sangha reportedly attempted to erase evidence of her involvement, asking Fleming to delete communications between them. A search of her Hollywood home uncovered 79 vials of liquid ketamine, alongside MDMA tablets, counterfeit Xanax pills, a cash-counting machine, and additional drug paraphernalia, according to court filings.

While Perry was the most high-profile victim linked to Sangha, the plea deal also notes an earlier fatal incident. In August 2019, she sold ketamine to Cody McClory, 33, who died of an overdose hours later.

The case underscores the rising risks associated with illicit ketamine use and the ongoing federal crackdown on individuals supplying potent recreational drugs.