Matthew Perry’s stepmother says ‘Ketamine Queen’ should get maximum sentence
Matthew Perry’s Stepdad Calls for Maximum Sentence Against ‘Ketamine Queen’
Jasveen Sangha, referred to as the “Ketamine Queen,” faces the possibility of over six decades in federal prison following the tragic death of late Friends actor Matthew Perry. Debbie Perry, the star’s stepmother, submitted a victim impact statement to a California court on Tuesday, highlighting the lasting harm caused by the drug distributor. In her statement, she wrote,
“The pain you’ve caused to hundreds maybe thousands is irreversible. There is no joy… No light in the window. They won’t be back.”
Sangha, who is a citizen of both the United States and the United Kingdom, was taken into federal custody in 2024. She previously pleaded guilty to five charges, including one for distributing ketamine that resulted in death or severe injury. Perry was discovered unresponsive in his jacuzzi at his Los Angeles residence in 2023, and medical professionals later confirmed his passing was due to the “acute effects of ketamine.” His stepmother’s remarks emphasized her belief that Sangha’s actions directly contributed to the tragedy.
Perry, famous for his role as Chandler Bing in the 1990s sitcom, had battled substance use for years and was undergoing ketamine therapy for depression under supervision. Sangha is one of five individuals convicted in connection with Perry’s death. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, another defendant, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for distributing ketamine in the weeks leading up to the incident. A separate doctor, Mark Chavez, received eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release.
Plasencia acquired ketamine from Chavez and sold it to Perry at inflated prices—$2,000 per vial. During the trial, court records revealed a text message from Plasencia stating,
“I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Sangha, meanwhile, collaborated with Erik Fleming to supply 51 vials of ketamine to Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Iwamasa administered multiple injections to Perry, including at least three on October 28, 2023, which led to his fatal condition. Sangha later directed Fleming to erase all messages related to the transactions.
Speaking to the Sun while incarcerated, Sangha expressed remorse, saying,
“There are no excuses for what I did. I am deeply sorry for the pain I caused, especially to Matthew’s family.”
Iwamasa and Fleming are set to receive their sentences later this month, marking the final stages of the legal proceedings surrounding Perry’s death.
