Jasbeen Sangha Sentenced to 15 Years for Matthew Perry’s Overdose

On April 8, a Los Angeles woman, Jasbeen Sangha, was sentenced to 15 years in prison related to the overdose that resulted in the death of actor Matthew Perry, known for his role in Friends. Prosecutors have labeled Sangha the “Queen of Ketamine” during the proceedings.

Sangha had pleaded guilty last year to several federal charges, which included distribution of ketamine, with one charge specifically noting distribution that led to death or serious bodily harm.

According to prosecutors, Perry’s assistant acquired 50 vials of ketamine—a quick-acting anesthetic that can also serve as a hallucinogen. They stated that one vial ultimately led to Perry’s accidental death, as reported by The New York Times.

Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at 54 years old after years of combating addiction to drugs and alcohol. He was discovered dead in the hot tub at his home in Los Angeles. An autopsy concluded that the “acute effects of ketamine” were the primary cause of death, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine—a type of opioid—also playing roles in the tragedy.

The investigation into his death led to the arrests of Sangha and four others, including Eric Fleming, who knew Perry, and Matthew Iwamasa, who bought the ketamine for Perry. Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez were also implicated, and all have since entered guilty pleas.

Sangha was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Garnett in a California federal court. The other two doctors had received sentences earlier, while Fleming and Iwamasa are awaiting theirs.

Suzanne Perry, Matthew’s mother, attended the sentencing, along with her husband Keith Morrison. During the hearing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed sympathy for Sangha, saying he didn’t hate her but noted, “You’re a drug dealer, and there are a lot of drug dealers out there. The fact is, you provided the addicts.”

In addition, USA Today reported that a victim impact statement from Perry’s stepmother, Debbie Perry, was also submitted. She remarked, “The pain you have caused to hundreds, maybe thousands, of people is irreparable. There’s no joy to be found, no light in the windows. They’re not coming back.”