Jasveen Sangha becomes the fifth and final defendant charged in the overdose death of Matthew Perry to strike a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
Share and Follow

A woman branded as the “Ketamine Queen” has pleaded guilty to selling Matthew Perry the drug that killed the Friends star.
Jasveen Sangha pleaded guilty on Wednesday (early Thursday AEST) to five federal charges, including providing the ketamine that led to Perry’s death. Her trial had been planned to start later this month. She is the fifth and final defendant charged over Perry’s overdose death to admit guilt.

Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, and his stepfather, Dateline reporter Keith Morrison, sat in the audience.

Jasveen Sangha becomes the fifth and final defendant charged in the overdose death of Matthew Perry to strike a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
Jasveen Sangha becomes the fifth and final defendant charged in the overdose death of Matthew Perry to strike a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. (Nine)

Prosecutors had cast Sangha, a 42-year-old citizen of the US and the UK, as a prolific drug dealer who was known to her customers as the “Ketamine Queen”, using the term often in press releases and court documents.

Making good on a deal she signed on August 18, Sangha pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Prosecutors agreed to drop three other counts related to the distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of methamphetamine that was unrelated to the Perry case.

The final plea deal came a year after federal prosecutors announced that five people had been charged over Perry’s October 28, 2023 death after a sweeping investigation.

Sangha is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10. She could get up to 65 years in prison. The judge is not bound to follow any terms of the plea agreement, but prosecutors said in the document that they will ask for less than the maximum. None of the co-defendants have been sentenced yet.

Sangha and Dr Salvador Plasencia, who pleaded guilty in July, had been the primary targets of the investigation. Three other defendants — Dr Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa and Erik Fleming — pleaded guilty in exchange for their cooperation, which included statements implicating Sangha and Plasencia.

Actor Matthew Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles home in October 2023. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) (Getty)

Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles home by Iwamasa, his assistant. The medical examiner ruled that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anaesthetic, was the primary cause of death.

Sangha presented a posh lifestyle on Instagram, with photos of herself with the rich and famous in cities around the globe. Prosecutors said she privately presented herself as a dealer who sold to the same kind of high-class customers.

Perry had been using ketamine through his regular doctor as a legal, but off-label, treatment for depression, which has become increasingly common. Perry, 54, sought more ketamine than his doctor would give him, and his search for more led him to Sangha through his friend Fleming about two weeks before his death, prosecutors said.

Fleming messaged Perry’s assistant saying her ketamine was “amazing” and that she deals only “with high end and celebs”.

Friends opening credits scene fountain
Matthew Perry starred in the hit sitcom Friends alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer . (Warner Bros. Television / Stan)

Perry bought large amounts of ketamine from Sangha, including 25 vials for $US6000 ($9155) in cash four days before his death, prosecutors said.

On the day of Perry’s death, Sangha told Fleming they should delete all the messages they had sent each other, according to her indictment.

Sangha has been in federal custody for about a year.

Perry struggled with addiction for many years, dating back to his time on Friends, when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC’s megahit series.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Moorabbin bowling alley fire melbourne suspects victoria police

Authorities Share Photos of Suspects Following Fire at Empty Bowling Alley

Police believe two men are responsible for a fire that gutted a…

Photos: Israel Commemorates October 7 Anniversary

Israelis mourned on Tuesday, as memorials and gatherings were held across the…
Seven Australian activists released from Israel and deported to Jordan

Seven Australian Protesters Deported from Israel to Jordan

Seven Australians who were detained for days in Israel after being intercepted…
Optus CEO Stephen Rue, surrounded cameras and journalists ahead of his meeting with Anika Wells in Parliament House.

Telecom Executives Summoned to Parliament for Introduction of New 000 Emergency Call Laws

The federal government has unveiled new triple-zero laws after hauling multiple major…
Media personality and prominent Greens supporter Abbie Chatfield has been accused of unleashing abuse and hatred on a former close friend over views on Israel's war in Gaza.

TV Star and Podcaster Faces Allegations of Abusing and Spewing Hatred Towards Ex-Friend

Media personality and prominent Greens supporter Abbie Chatfield has been accused of…

University Students Alarmed by Scam Emails Threatening Degree Revocations

An Australian university has apologised after reports that some students received emails…

New AFP Chief Issues Stern Alert to Australia’s Rivals: ‘Consider This a Warning’

Freshly sworn-in Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner Krissy Barrett has kicked off…
Three charged with murder after man allegedly tortured for days before his death

Trio Accused of Murder Following Alleged Torture Leading to Man’s Death

Three men have been charged with the murder of Brisbane man Andrew…