The plea deal reduces charges but still leaves Sangha facing decades in prison
A woman accused of supplying the drugs that killed Friends actor Matthew Perry has agreed to plead guilty in a Los Angeles court, US prosecutors confirmed.
Jasveen Sangha, 42, nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen,” will plead guilty to five federal charges, including one count of distributing ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The American-British dual national had originally faced nine counts, but reached an agreement with prosecutors ahead of her trial, which had been scheduled for next month.
The Justice Department said Sangha’s North Hollywood residence functioned as a “drug-selling emporium,” where agents discovered more than 80 vials of ketamine during a raid. Alongside the ketamine, authorities also seized thousands of pills, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax. The property was dubbed the “Sangha Stash House” in court filings, where she is alleged to have packaged and distributed drugs to celebrities and wealthy clients.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatthew Perry, best known for playing Chandler Bing in Friends, was found dead in October 2023 in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. A coroner ruled his death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine. The actor had long been open about his struggles with addiction, and investigators said he was repeatedly exploited by those around him who supplied him with the powerful anaesthetic.
Sangha is one of five individuals charged in connection with Perry’s death. Among them are Dr Salvador Plasencia and Dr Mark Chavez, two physicians accused of selling ketamine; Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who allegedly helped obtain and inject the drug; and Eric Fleming, who prosecutors say resold ketamine purchased from Sangha to the actor. All five have since agreed to plead guilty.
Sangha’s charges include maintaining a drug premises, three counts of distributing ketamine, and the most serious offence—distributing ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. That final count carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. In total, she faces up to 65 years in prison when she is sentenced.
Her lawyer, Mark Geragos, confirmed to the BBC that she intends to accept responsibility. “She’s taking responsibility for her actions,” he said in a statement, noting that a formal plea hearing will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Prosecutors also linked Sangha to a separate overdose death in 2019. They said she sold ketamine to a man named Cody McLaury, who died hours later. This case was included in her plea deal, further highlighting the extent of her alleged trafficking network.
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic, approved for use in both human and veterinary medicine. While it has legitimate medical uses—such as treating depression and chronic pain—authorities stress it must only be administered by a physician, with patients closely monitored. The drug can cause hallucinations, distort perceptions, and create dangerous dissociative states, which can be fatal without supervision.
Perry’s death and the subsequent investigation have shone a light on the presence of ketamine in Hollywood, with one doctor describing its widespread misuse as “the wild west.” Prosecutors allege Sangha cultivated ties to celebrity circles, with acquaintances claiming she socialised at events including the Golden Globes and the Oscars. On social media, she portrayed a glamorous lifestyle, frequently sharing images from luxury parties and trips abroad.
Federal officials said Sangha ran her operation for at least five years before her arrest in March 2024. Her plea agreement brings to an end one of the most high-profile strands of the case, though sentencing will determine how severe her punishment will be. For Perry’s fans, it closes another chapter in a tragedy that highlighted the dangers of addiction and the predatory behaviour of those who profit from it.
