On August 18, 2025, Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” pleaded guilty to supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that resulted in the death of actor Matthew Perry from the television show Friends.
Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. The 42-year-old’s plea deal allows her to avoid a trial and could lead to a sentence of up to 65 years in prison, although prosecutors may consider a more lenient sentence.
Sangha admitted to trafficking drugs and distributing 51 vials of ketamine to Perry through an associate named Erik Fleming. The Justice Department confirmed that Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, administered at least three doses of Sangha’s ketamine to the actor on the day of his death, which led to his overdose. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that Perry’s death was a result of the acute effects of ketamine.
Five Defendants Implicated
Five individuals, including Sangha, have pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death:
- Jasveen Sangha: Supplied the ketamine, facing charges of drug trafficking and distribution resulting in death.
- Erik Fleming: Acted as an intermediary, passing ketamine from Sangha to Iwamasa.
- Kenneth Iwamasa: Perry’s assistant, who injected the fatal doses.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez: Doctors involved in illegally distributing ketamine to Perry.
All defendants have agreed to plea deals, cooperating with authorities to resolve the case.
Authorities described Sangha’s Los Angeles home as a “drug empire,” supplying illegal substances to Hollywood figures. A March 2024 DEA raid uncovered cocaine, 79 vials of ketamine, and over a kilogram of methamphetamine pills, highlighting the scale of her operations.
Sangha’s sentencing date is pending, with prosecutors urging judicial leniency. The case underscores the dangers of unregulated drug distribution and its tragic impact, particularly in high-profile circles like Hollywood. As the judicial process continues, Perry’s death remains a poignant reminder of addiction’s devastating consequences.