Jasveen Sangha, the ‘Ketamine Queen,’ Sentenced to 15 Years in Matthew Perry’s Death
Jasveen Sangha, the British-American drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison for her role in supplying the drugs that led to the death of Friends star Matthew Perry. The sentencing, which took place on April 8, 2026, follows a series of federal charges related to the actor’s 2023 overdose.
The Sentencing and Federal Charges
A federal judge ordered Sangha to serve 15 years behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release. Sangha, 42, had previously pleaded guilty last September to five federal charges, including one count of distributing ketamine resulting in death or bodily injury. She has remained in federal custody since her arrest in August 2024.
Federal prosecutors for the Central District of California had requested a 180-month sentence, describing Sangha as a dealer who “chose profits over people.” Court filings revealed a “cold callousness,” noting that Sangha continued selling drugs even after learning they had caused Perry’s death.
Inside the ‘Drug-Selling Emporium’
Prosecutors characterized Sangha’s residence in a North Hollywood midrise complex as a “drug-selling emporium.” For at least five years, starting no later than 2019, Sangha used her apartment as a distribution hub to produce, stockpile, and sell illicit drugs to a clientele of wealthy and well-connected individuals.
Matthew Perry, who had struggled with addiction for years, was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in October 2023. Investigators determined the cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic that should only be administered by a physician.
Emotional Courtroom Testimony
The sentencing hearing was marked by emotional statements from both the victim’s family and the defendant. Debbie Perry, the stepmother of the actor, urged the judge to impose the maximum possible sentence, calling Sangha a “heartless woman” who caused “irreversible” damage to the family.
Keith Morrison, Perry’s stepfather and a Dateline correspondent, praised the judge’s “highly reasoned sentence,” though he noted that “nobody won today.”
During her address to the court, Sangha sobbed and expressed deep shame and remorse. She admitted that her “poor choices” and “horrible decisions” had shattered lives and stated that she prays for forgiveness every day.
The Background of Jasveen Sangha
Born in London to parents Nilem Singh and Baljeet Singh Chhokar, Sangha comes from a background of significant wealth; her grandparents earned a fortune in East London’s fashion retail industry. After her mother remarried, the family moved to Calabasas, California.
Sangha’s academic background is extensive. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in social sciences and later earned an M.B.A. From the Hult International Business School in London in 2010. While she was previously involved with the Stiletto Nail Bar in Studio City, prosecutors noted she appeared to have no legitimate employment from 2019 onward, coinciding with the start of her drug distribution activities.
Key Takeaways
- Sentence: 15 years minimum in prison plus three years of supervised release.
- Primary Charge: Distributing ketamine resulting in death.
- Operation: Ran a drug distribution hub out of a North Hollywood apartment since 2019.
- Victim: Actor Matthew Perry, who died in October 2023 from acute ketamine effects.
- Defendant Profile: A British-American dual-national with an M.B.A. And a background in social sciences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jasveen Sangha?
Jasveen Sangha is a convicted drug dealer, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” who operated a distribution network in North Hollywood.
What was the cause of Matthew Perry’s death?
According to investigators, Perry’s death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine.
When was Jasveen Sangha sentenced?
She was sentenced on April 8, 2026.