‘Ketamine Queen’ sentenced to 15 years in Matthew Perry overdose death

Ketamine Queen Sentenced to 15 Years in Matthew Perry Overdose Case

A 42-year-old woman from Los Angeles, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has received a 15-year prison term for her role in the fatal drug overdose of actor Matthew Perry. Jasveen Sangha admitted guilt in September to five counts, including one that resulted in death or bodily harm through ketamine distribution. The case has drawn attention due to the actor’s well-known battle with substance abuse, which culminated in his death in October 2023 while he was found unconscious in his home’s hot tub.

Investigators concluded Perry’s death was caused by the severe effects of ketamine. The drug, typically used as a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, is intended for medical administration by professionals. Sangha’s sentencing followed emotional moments in court, where she wept as Perry’s family spoke, despite showing no remorse in the years since her arrest. During her plea, she acknowledged her mistakes, expressing shame and regret for the impact of her actions.

“Please give this heartless woman the maximum prison sentence so she won’t be able to hurt other families like ours,” Debbie Perry, the actor’s stepmother, urged the judge in a victim impact statement. “You caused this… You who has talent for business enough to make money chose the one way that hurts people.”

During a federal raid, officials uncovered dozens of ketamine vials at Sangha’s Los Angeles home and accused her of operating a “stash house” in North Hollywood since 2019. Alongside the injectable drug, thousands of pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax were seized. Sangha initially denied charges but switched to a guilty plea in August, just weeks before her trial began. As part of the agreement, she admitted supplying ketamine to Cody McLaury, who died from an overdose shortly after the transaction.

Authorities identified Sangha as one of five individuals, including medical professionals and Perry’s assistant, who contributed to his overdose. The other four also accepted plea deals. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who provided ketamine to Perry in the weeks before his death, was sentenced to 30 months in December. Dr. Mark Chavez, a California physician who sold 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 legal team seeking a delay. Eric Fleming, who obtained ketamine from Sangha and sold it to Perry, will face his sentence in June.

Sangha’s attorneys requested a lighter penalty in March, citing her acceptance of responsibility and lack of prior criminal history. She has been in custody since August 2024, according to her legal representatives. The case underscores how ketamine, often used in therapeutic settings, became a lethal factor in Perry’s final days. With additional reporting by Regan Morris and Peter Bowes