A woman identified as Jasveen Sangha, popularly known as the “Ketamine Queen”, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling drugs linked to the death of Matthew Perry.
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler in the sitcom Friends, was found dead in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles in 2023.
According to BBC, the 42-year-old Sangha pleaded guilty to five serious drug charges last September and has been in custody since her arrest in August 2024. Law enforcement officials described her North Hollywood home as a “drug store” for the rich and famous, where she sold various illegal substances.
Authorities said Perry had struggled with drug addiction for years. Investigations found he died from a lethal amount of ketamine in his system. Although the actor had spoken openly about his battle with substance abuse, he had said he was clean in the months before his death.
According to DW News, federal officers said Perry began using ketamine as part of treatment for depression and anxiety at a medical centre. When he could no longer access the drug legally, he allegedly turned to illegal sources. Weeks later, he died at home from an overdose of ketamine supplied by Sangha.
A medical report concluded Perry died from the “acute effects of ketamine”, which caused him to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub.
During sentencing on Wednesday, Sangha addressed US District Judge Sherilyn Garnett, expressing remorse. “I take full responsibility for my actions. These were horrible choices that ultimately proved tragic,” she said.
Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic that can cause hallucinations. While it is sometimes used medically to treat mental health conditions, it is also abused as a party drug.
Before sentencing, Perry’s stepmother Debbie urged the court to impose the maximum penalty, saying: “You caused this… You who has talent for business enough to make money chose the one way that hurts people. Please give this heartless woman the maximum prison sentence so she won’t be able to hurt other families like ours.”
Perry never married and had no children. He is survived by his parents and five half-siblings.
The verdict sparked mixed reactions online.
On Instagram, Martinelli wrote, “I don’t understand. If I buy six gallons of whiskey from a supermarket, drink it all in one hour, and die, would the police arrest the supermarket owner?”
Another Adrian Anderson added, “I’m not saying what she did it right… but was she treated differently because of who it was?”