Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” pleaded guilty on Wednesday to supplying the drugs that killed Friends star Matthew Perry. The 42-year-old dual UK-US citizen faces up to 65 years in federal prison after admitting to five charges related to Perry’s October 2023 overdose.
Sangha’s guilty plea makes her the fifth and final person convicted in Perry’s death. She stood in Los Angeles federal court wearing tan jail clothing as she repeated “guilty” five times. The proceeding brought Perry’s mother Suzanne and stepfather Keith Morrison to court for the first time since the indictments.
From Luxury Lifestyle to Federal Custody
Before Jasveen Sangha’s arrest in August 2024, Sangha lived an extravagant lifestyle funded by her drug operation. The Indian-origin dealer flaunted Louis Vuitton sneakers and Chanel outfits on social media whilst running her North Hollywood distribution centre.
She cultivated relationships with Hollywood celebrities and attended prestigious events. Sangha socialised with figures like Charlie Sheen and DJ Khaled. Her social media showed luxury trips to Japan and Mexico, even after Perry’s death.
Federal prosecutors described her residence as a “drug-selling emporium”. Authorities found 79 vials of liquid ketamine during searches, along with methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax. The location was dubbed the “Sangha Stash House” in court documents.
Final Days Before Perry’s Death
Sangha sold Perry 25 vials of ketamine for £4,800 just four days before his death. She worked with middleman Erik Fleming to distribute the drugs to Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa.
Federal prosecutors revealed the fatal timeline. On 28 October 2023, Iwamasa injected Perry with at least three shots of Sangha’s ketamine. The actor had requested “shoot me up with a big one” before the final dose.
Perry was found unresponsive in his Pacific Palisades jacuzzi that afternoon. The medical examiner ruled ketamine the primary cause of death. The drug levels in Perry’s system matched those used for general anaesthesia.
Cover-Up Attempts Exposed
After news of Perry’s death broke, Jasveen Sangha immediately attempted to hide her involvement. She contacted Fleming through the encrypted Signal app, instructing him to “delete all our messages”. She also changed her Signal settings to automatically delete conversations.
Court documents revealed her panic following Perry’s overdose. Jasveen Sangha updated her messaging security and coached Fleming on destroying evidence. These actions demonstrated her awareness of the fatal consequences.
The attempted cover-up failed as investigators recovered deleted communications. Federal agents built their case using recovered messages and testimony from co-defendants.
Network of Enablers Uncovered
Perry’s death exposed a broader Hollywood drug network targeting vulnerable celebrities. Five people ultimately faced charges in the conspiracy. The network included two doctors, Perry’s assistant, and Fleming as intermediary.
Dr Salvador Plasencia and Dr Mark Chavez supplied additional ketamine to Perry. Text messages showed Plasencia asking “I wonder how much this moron will pay”. Both doctors pleaded guilty to distribution charges.
Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, administered the fatal injections despite lacking medical training. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in August 2024. Fleming connected Perry with Sangha and also admitted guilt.
Previous Overdose Death Revealed
Jasveen Sangha’s plea agreement revealed another fatal overdose linked to her operation. In August 2019, she sold four vials of ketamine to Cody McLaury. The 33-year-old died hours later from a drug overdose including ketamine.
This earlier death demonstrated a pattern of reckless distribution by Jasveen Sangha. Federal prosecutors used both cases to establish her disregard for user safety. The earlier incident strengthened their case for lengthy sentencing.
McLaury had no connection to Perry, showing Sangha’s broader customer base. The revelation highlighted her role as a prolific dealer serving multiple victims.
UK Connection and Background
SJasveen Sangha holds dual citizenship with the United Kingdom and United States. Jasveen Sangha’s British passport may have facilitated international travel whilst under investigation. She attended luxury destinations globally whilst operating her drug network.
Her educational background includes an MBA from Hult Business School in 2010. After graduation, Jasveen Sangha worked at Merrill Lynch before establishing her underground operation. The financial services background may have aided money laundering activities.
UK authorities cooperated in the investigation given her citizenship status. Her British connections raised questions about international drug trafficking networks.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Jasveen Sangha’s defence attorney Mark Geragos said his client “feels horrible” about the situation. He told reporters she has “accepted responsibility” for her role in Perry’s death. The plea agreement dropped several charges including methamphetamine distribution.
Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for 10 December 2024. Although facing 65 years maximum, prosecutors agreed to seek reduced penalties. Defence lawyers indicated mitigation evidence would be presented.
All five defendants await sentencing between November and December 2024. None have yet received their final sentences. The coordinated hearings will conclude the legal proceedings.
Impact on Ketamine Regulation
Perry’s death sparked discussions about ketamine therapy regulation in Hollywood. The actor was receiving legal ketamine treatment for depression before seeking illegal supplies. Medical professionals emphasised proper clinical administration protocols.
Dr Harris, quoted in coverage, stressed ketamine should only be administered by professionals in clinical settings. Perry’s case highlighted the dangers of unsupervised use. The investigation revealed abuse of legitimate medical treatments.
The case may influence future oversight of ketamine clinics. Regulatory bodies face pressure to prevent similar tragedies. Healthcare providers must balance access with safety concerns.
Perry’s Addiction Struggles
The Friends star had publicly battled addiction for decades during and after his television success. His 2022 memoir detailed spending £5.8 million on treatment attempts. Perry had been clean for 19 months before relapsing.
His vulnerability made him a target for unscrupulous dealers like Sangha. Federal prosecutors emphasised how the network exploited Perry’s addiction. The case highlighted celebrity exploitation by drug suppliers.
Perry’s death shocked fans worldwide who knew him as Chandler Bing. His struggles with substance abuse were well-documented but his passing still surprised many. The circumstances revealed the dangerous reality behind Hollywood’s glamorous facade.
Broader Hollywood Drug Network
The investigation exposed systemic drug dealing targeting wealthy celebrities in Los Angeles. Jasveen Sangha specialised in high-end clients willing to pay premium prices. Her operation catered specifically to Hollywood’s elite community.
Text messages revealed references to celebrity customers and expensive transactions. The network operated with apparent impunity for years before Perry’s death triggered scrutiny. Law enforcement described a “wild west” environment in Hollywood drug dealing.
The case may prompt broader investigations into celebrity drug suppliers. Other dealers likely operated similar networks targeting vulnerable stars. Perry’s death became a catalyst for addressing systemic problems.
Legacy and Lessons
Perry’s tragic death serves as a cautionary tale about addiction vulnerability and criminal exploitation. His case revealed how dealers target celebrities for financial gain. The investigation provided justice while highlighting ongoing systemic issues.
Jasveen Sangha’s guilty plea brings closure to Perry’s family and fans. The comprehensive prosecution sends a message about consequences for drug dealing. The case may deter similar criminal networks from targeting vulnerable celebrities.
The Friends star’s legacy includes both entertainment achievements and addiction awareness advocacy. His death reinforced the ongoing need for proper treatment and protection from exploitation. The legal proceedings honour his memory whilst seeking justice.
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