‘Ketamine Queen’ Set to Plead Guilty To Charges Related to Matthew Perry’s 2023 Death

Jasveen Sangha, known in the media as the “Ketamine Queen,” has agreed to a federal plea deal in the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry. Sangha was the last of five individuals charged in the iconic actor’s death to agree to a plea deal, avoiding a lengthy and likely traumatic trial for the friends and family of the beloved actor. While Sangha has not yet officially entered her plea, she will do so soon; she was charged last year. The plea comes nearly two years after the beloved Friends actor was found dead in his home.

How did Matthew Perry die?

Matthew Perry’s struggle with addiction was no secret. His substance abuse issues spanned decades, with the actor admitting in his memoir that he started experimenting with drugs and drinking when he was still relatively young. While he had an illustrious acting career, the pull never left for long. Perry spent millions on rehabs and enjoyed periods of sobriety. Still, he ultimately died of a drug overdose on October 28, 2023.

Perry’s assistant, who was later charged in his death, found him in his hot tub after returning home from running errands. Perry had been out earlier in the day with friends. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Several weeks later, his autopsy results revealed he had died of acute ketamine toxicity. Contributing factors included buprenorphine, coronary artery disease, and accidental drowning. Perry was receiving ketamine treatments at a therapeutic level to treat depression. The amount of ketamine found in his system was many times greater than the amount used in a therapeutic setting.

Immediately following his death, there was an outpouring of grief. Fans paid tribute by leaving flowers outside the iconic Friends building in New York City and outside the Pacific Palisades home where he died. His co-stars and Hollywood friends penned touching tributes to him on social media. In August 2024, five people were charged in connection with his death.

Who was charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death?

The indictment came after an exhaustive months-long federal investigation that uncovered a network of people who worked together to supply Perry and others with illegal drugs. Indicted were Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry’s assistant, Erik Fleming, who was an acquaintance who acted as a middleman, Dr. Mark Chavez, and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who distributed the substance, and Jasveen Sangha, who appeared to be the mastermind behind the operation.

Iwamasa, who lived with Perry during his employment, was the first to accept a plea deal. Prosecutors aimed to use Iwamasa as a witness against the others who were more deeply involved in the ring. Iwamasa pled guilty in 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, causing death. According to WBALTV, Iwamasa is scheduled to face sentencing in November.

Flemming also reached a plea deal quickly. Perry’s associate pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Like Iwamasa, Flemming will be sentenced in November. Dr. Mark Chavez agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine for his role in the actor’s death. The doctor sourced the ketamine that ultimately killed Perry from a wholesale distributor under false pretenses. Chavez has surrendered his medical license and could serve up to 10 years in prison. Dr. Plascencia is facing more serious charges. The doctor, whose text message questioning how much the “moron” would pay became a centerpiece of the case, agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine. He could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison when he faces the judge in December.

Sangha’s plea finally puts to bed the investigation. She has largely been considered the mastermind and thus is pleading guilty to multiple charges. Sangha will very likely spend decades in jail.

What has the ‘Ketamine Queen’ agreed to plead guilty to?

Jasveen Sangha agreed to enter a guilty plea this week, a year after news of her arrest was made public. The “Ketamine Queen” has agreed to plead guilty to several very serious charges in exchange for the prosecution dropping several others. According to the BBC, under the agreement, she’ll plead guilty to five charges. The charges include one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distributing ketamine, and one count of distributing ketamine resulting in death.

Sangha has also been linked to the death of a man in 2019 from a ketamine overdose. That crime does not appear to be directly related to this case. She is expected to face sentencing in December, and although the prosecution agreed to a deal, it still carries a substantial prison term. Sangha could spend the next 45 years behind bars.