Who is Jasveen Sangha? The ‘Ketamine Queen’ is charged with Matthew Perry’s overdose death
According to Today Jasveen Sangha, referred to as the “Ketamine Queen” by prosecutors, is one of the five individuals facing charges related to the accidental overdose of Friends star Matthew Perry in October 2023. Perry, 54, was found unresponsive in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, 2023. His death was attributed to the acute effects of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic known for its hallucinogenic properties.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California formally announced charges on August 15, 2024, linking Sangha to Perry’s tragic passing. The indictment accuses Sangha of supplying the ketamine that ultimately led to the actor’s death. Three other individuals, including Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, have already agreed to plea deals, according to authorities.
Sangha, 41, is facing nine charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. At her initial court appearance on August 15, Sangha pled not guilty while wearing large round glasses and a loose-fitting green Nirvana T-shirt. The judge ordered her to be held without bond, citing her as a flight risk.
Sangha’s Alleged Role in Perry’s Overdose
Court documents allege that Sangha used her North Hollywood home, which prosecutors have labeled the “Sangha Stash House,” as a base for storing, packaging, and distributing various narcotics, including ketamine and methamphetamine.
The case against Sangha centers on mid-October 2023, when Iwamasa sought out additional ketamine for Perry. Iwamasa reached out to an acquaintance, Erik Fleming, who, in turn, contacted Sangha. According to the indictment, Sangha offered a sample of ketamine for Perry to try. “It’s unmarked but it’s amazing,” she allegedly texted Fleming via the encrypted messaging app Signal. Fleming forwarded the message to Iwamasa, assuring him of the product’s quality, saying, “She only deals with high end and celebs.”
On October 14, 2023, Iwamasa allegedly purchased 25 vials of ketamine from Fleming and Sangha. A little over a week later, on October 23, he paid an additional $6,000 for more ketamine. According to the indictment, Sangha claimed that her source, whom she described as a “master chef” and “scientist,” would make another supply of ketamine available by October 24. That same day, Fleming allegedly delivered another 25 vials to Iwamasa.
Also Read – Matthew Perry’s Tragic Final Hours: Assistant and Others Charged in Actor’s Death
In the days leading up to Perry’s death, Iwamasa injected the actor with at least six doses of ketamine daily. On October 28, the day of Perry’s overdose, Iwamasa administered at least three more shots of ketamine, which prosecutors allege directly led to Perry’s fatal overdose.
After news broke of Perry’s death, Sangha allegedly instructed Fleming to “delete all of our messages.”
Fleming has since pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. His plea agreement came a week before charges were formally filed against Sangha and others involved in the case.
The “Sangha Stash House”
During a press conference on August 14, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada described Sangha’s North Hollywood residence as a “drug-selling emporium.” After Perry’s death, investigators executed search warrants at Sangha’s home, uncovering 79 vials of ketamine along with approximately three pounds of pills. The drugs included methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, and prescription medications, many of which authorities believe were fraudulently obtained.
Sangha’s Troubled Past
This is not the first time Sangha has faced serious legal trouble. In March 2024, she was arrested in a separate federal drug case in which court records labeled her as a “large volume drug dealer.” She was released on a $100,000 bond, but her involvement in Matthew Perry’s death has reignited interest in her criminal activities.
Prosecutors have also drawn attention to a 2019 incident in which a man died after purchasing ketamine from Sangha. According to the indictment, a family member of the deceased man informed Sangha that the ketamine she sold had been listed as the cause of death. In response, Sangha allegedly searched the internet for “can ketamine be listed as a cause of death.”
The overdose incident from 2019 led to further investigation after Perry’s death, prompting additional charges related to drug distribution.
Conclusion
As authorities continue to unravel the tragic details of Matthew Perry’s final days, Jasveen Sangha stands at the center of the investigation. With her previous criminal history and alleged involvement in Perry’s overdose, she faces severe legal consequences. Charged with multiple felonies, including distribution of ketamine resulting in death, Sangha’s fate will now play out in the courts as she fights the accusations leveled against her.