The death of Friends star Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023, shocked fans across the world. At first, it looked like a sad case of relapse. But later, police uncovered a bigger story — a network of people supplying drugs to him. At the centre of it was Jasveen Sangha, also known as the 'Ketamine Queen'. On April 8, 2026, she was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
How Did Matthew Perry Die?
Perry, 54, was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. He had struggled with addiction for years, but people close to him believed he was on a path to recovery.
Investigators later found that he had been taking ketamine in the days before his death. On the same day, his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, gave him multiple injections. The drugs that caused his death were traced back to Sangha's supply.
Who Is 'Ketamine Queen'?
Born on July 22, 1983, in London, Jasveen Sangha is a British-American citizen of Punjabi origin. She studied in the US and even completed an MBA in London.
Despite her education, she was secretly running a large-scale drug operation from her home in North Hollywood from around 2019. She became known as the “Ketamine Queen” because she supplied drugs to wealthy clients. Authorities say she dealt in ketamine, cocaine, meth, ecstasy, and fake Xanax.
How Was She Linked to Perry?
Sangha worked with a middleman, Erik Fleming, to supply ketamine to Perry. She sold around 50 vials of the drug.
Doctors were also involved. Dr. Salvador Plasencia sold ketamine at very high prices, while Dr. Mark Chavez supplied him. Perry was reportedly paying over $2,000 per vial, much more than the actual cost.
Sangha's Drug Network
After Perry's death became public, Sangha allegedly told Fleming to delete their messages. This raised suspicion. In March 2024, police raided her house and found large quantities of different drugs, a money-counting machine, and surveillance detection tools.
Arrest, Court Case And Verdict
Sangha was initially arrested in March 2024, released on bail, but was re-arrested in August 2024. She remained in custody thereafter. On September 3, 2025, she admitted to several charges, including supplying drugs that led to the actor's death.
On April 8, 2026, she was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Others involved received lesser punishment. Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in jail, while Chavez was given house arrest and community service.
The case ultimately exposed how a vulnerable individual like Perry was surrounded not just by addiction, but by a system that profited from it. While the court has now given its judgment, his loss is irreparable.
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