A woman pleaded guilty on Wednesday in a California federal court to providing the ketamine that killed “Friends” actor Matthew Perry in 2023.
A North Hollywood resident named Jasveen Sangha, known as the “ketamine queen,” agreed to a plea deal that revealed her long-term drug sales from her apartment prior to the tragic death of Perry. Sangha acknowledged supplying four vials of ketamine to an individual in 2019 who overdosed fatally at his residence, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
In October 2023, the 54-year-old Perry was discovered lifeless in a hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades, with his demise attributed to the acute effects of ketamine. Although the actor had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for mental health challenges, he was acquiring the drug illicitly outside of medical supervision.
READ: Doctor Who Called Matthew Perry a ‘Moron’ Before Supplying Him Ketamine Pleads Guilty
An investigation determined that Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, 60, injected him with the fatal dose of ketamine which came from Sangha.
Authorities were informed by Iwamasa that Perry had made contact with Salvador Plasencia, a 43-year-old urgent care doctor, in the weeks preceding his passing. Perry reportedly spent up to $55,000 on ketamine from Plasencia in the month before he died.
The Los Angeles Times revealed that Perry began obtaining intravenous ketamine by late September 2023. By the following month, Perry had reportedly sought assistance from Erik Fleming, a former producer and drug counseling professional.
According to Sangha’s plea agreement, she collaborated with Fleming to supply Perry with ketamine. During the month of Perry’s passing, it was reported that they sold 51 vials to Iwamasa, who administered three vials to Perry on the day of his death.
Three days after Perry’s demise, Sangha communicated with Fleming, stating, “Please call … Got more info and want to bounce ideas off you. I’m 90% sure everyone is protected. I never dealt with [Perry] — only his Assistant. So the Assistant was the enabler. Also they are doing a 3 month tox screening … Does K stay in your system or is it immediately flushed out[?],” as per the Los Angeles Times.
Fleming, Iwamasa, and Plasencia, all pleaded guilty to having involvement in Perry’s death. A second doctor, Dr. Mark Chavez, also admitted to supplying Perry with ketamine. All four defendants are awaiting sentencing.
Sangha pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, distribution of ketamine, and distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. She faces up to 65 years when she is sentenced in December.
[Feature Photo: Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File]
