It was the nickname that launched a thousand headlines. Jasveen Sangha, a 42-year-old dual citizen of the U.S. and the U.K., didn't just sell drugs; she allegedly curated a "stash house" in North Hollywood that looked more like a boutique than a dealer’s den. But when the world found out she was the primary source of the drugs that killed beloved Friends star Matthew Perry, the "Ketamine Queen" became the face of a much darker reality in the Hollywood hills.
Honestly, the details are chilling. You’ve probably seen the "Friends" star's tragic ending in October 2023, but the investigation into how he got those final, fatal doses reveals a predatory network that feels like something out of a crime noir.
The Ketamine Queen and the Actor: A Lethal Connection
The case against the Ketamine Queen Matthew Perry was built on more than just whispers. It was built on a trail of cash, deleted Signal messages, and the exploitation of a man who was desperately trying to stay afloat. Perry had been using ketamine legally to treat depression. It’s a common therapy these days, often helpful. But for Perry, the line between treatment and addiction blurred quickly. When his legitimate doctors wouldn't give him more, he—or rather, those around him—started looking for "alternative" sources.
Enter Erik Fleming. He was the middleman, the one who connected Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, to Sangha. Fleming didn't mince words. He reportedly told Iwamasa that Sangha’s supply was "amazing" and that she "only deals with high end and celebs."
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The math is heartbreaking. Just four days before Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub, he reportedly paid $6,000 in cash for 25 vials of ketamine from Sangha. This wasn't a one-time thing. The indictment shows a massive influx of drugs into Perry's home in the weeks leading up to his death.
The North Hollywood Stash House
When federal agents finally raided Sangha’s home in March 2024, they didn't just find a few vials. They found an industrial-scale operation. We’re talking:
- 79 vials of liquid ketamine.
- Nearly 3 pounds of orange pills containing methamphetamine.
- Cocaine, MDMA, and counterfeit Xanax.
- A gold money-counting machine.
She had been running this "Sangha Stash House" since at least 2019. It wasn't just a side hustle; it was a business with a high-profile clientele. But there was a darker secret in her past that prosecutors highlighted: Perry wasn't her first victim. Back in 2019, a man named Cody McLaury died from an overdose hours after buying ketamine from her. When his family texted her to tell her he was dead, she didn't stop. She just Googled, "Can ketamine be listed as a cause of death?"
Talk about cold.
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Why This Case Actually Matters for Everyone
It’s easy to dismiss this as "celebrity drama," but it’s actually a massive warning sign about the "ketamine clinic" boom. There were two doctors involved in this case—Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez. Plasencia, nicknamed "Dr. P," was particularly egregious. He reportedly texted Chavez, "I wonder how much this moron will pay," referring to Perry.
They were selling vials that cost them $12 to the actor for $2,000.
- Exploitation of Vulnerability: Perry was a "Champion of Recovery" award winner who had been candid about his "Big Terrible Thing" (his addiction). The people around him, including his live-in assistant, became enablers rather than protectors.
- The Danger of "Off-Label" Use: While ketamine is a breakthrough for some, the lack of oversight in how it’s distributed—especially to known addicts—is a gaping hole in the medical system.
- Digital Trails: The Ketamine Queen thought she was safe using Signal. She told Fleming to "Delete all our messages" the moment the news of Perry’s death broke. It didn't work. The feds are really good at piecing these things back together.
The Final Chapter of the Legal Saga
As of early 2026, the legal dust is finally settling. In September 2025, Jasveen Sangha finally changed her tune. She pleaded guilty to five federal charges, including distribution of ketamine resulting in death. She was the fifth and final defendant to admit guilt in this specific conspiracy.
The sentencing has been a long time coming. While others like Dr. Plasencia received 30 months in prison (a sentence that many fans found shockingly light), Sangha is facing a much steeper cliff. Because of her history—specifically the prior death of Cody McLaury—she is looking at a statutory maximum of 65 years.
Her sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for February 25, 2026. She will likely be the last person sentenced in the case that took down a Hollywood drug ring.
Actionable Insights and What to Watch For
If you or someone you love is exploring ketamine therapy, the Ketamine Queen Matthew Perry tragedy offers some vital takeaways that go beyond the tabloid headlines:
- Verify Your Provider: Only receive ketamine treatments from board-certified medical professionals in a clinical setting. If a doctor offers to "teach your assistant" how to inject you or meets you in a parking lot (as Plasencia did with Perry), run the other way.
- The "Celebrity" Trap: Being "high-end" or wealthy often removes the guardrails that protect people from themselves. Success doesn't make you immune to the laws of biology or the greed of others.
- Monitor Enablers: In many cases of high-profile overdoses, the "inner circle" is the weakest link. Perry's assistant, Iwamasa, had no medical training but was the one administering the shots that killed him.
The story of the Ketamine Queen isn't just about a drug dealer in North Hollywood. It's a story about how a system meant to heal can be weaponized by those who see a "moron" with a fat wallet instead of a human being in pain.
As the final sentencing approaches in February 2026, the legacy of Matthew Perry will hopefully shift back to his work and his advocacy, rather than the "Big Terrible Thing" that finally took him.