![](https://newsnownigeria.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/sANGHA.jpg)
The ‘Ketamine Queen’ Jasveen Sangha Linked to the Death of Friends Star Matthew Perry
Known as the ‘Ketamine Queen,’ Jasveen Sangha, aged 41, has been identified by US officials for her alleged role in the passing of Hollywood actor Matthew Perry.
Matthew Perry, famous for portraying Chandler Bing on the beloved TV show “Friends” from 1994 to 2004, was discovered unresponsive in his pool in October 2023, leading to his death at the age of 54.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office stated, “Matthew Perry’s cause of death resulted from the acute effects of ketamine,” according to reports from AFP.
Sangha was implicated along with four other individuals, including two doctors named Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, Eric Fleming who worked as a broker, and Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
US attorney Martin Estrada for the Californian central district described Sangha’s residence in North Hollywood as a “drug-selling emporium” and highlighted her as a “major source of supply for ketamine to others including Perry.”
Sangha is accused of distributing ketamine from her alleged “stash house” since at least 2019, with over 80 vials of ketamine and a variety of pills, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax, reportedly discovered in a search, as stated by BBC on Friday.
Referred to as the “Sangha Stash House” in the indictment, her home was apparently where she packaged and distributed drugs.
Estrada mentioned that the defendants exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction struggles for financial gain, fully aware of the risks they posed to Perry’s safety.
Plasencia was quoted in the indictment saying that Sangha “only deals with high end and celebs,” indicating her clientele.
Prosecutors alleged that Sangha supplied ketamine to Perry following Plasencia’s discovery of Perry’s interest in the drug, sourcing it from Chavez, who had previously operated a ketamine clinic.
Plasencia purportedly instructed Perry’s live-in assistant on how to administer ketamine injections.
However, it was reported that Sangha began supplying ketamine to Iwamasa in October 2023, with prosecutors noting her awareness of the drug’s lethal potential.
Estrada concluded, “These defendants prioritized profiting off Mr. Perry over his well-being.”
Ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic with hallucinogenic effects, can distort sight and sound perception, causing users to feel disconnected and lose control.
According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, ketamine is used as an anaesthetic for humans and animals due to its pain-numbing and environment-dissociating properties, as reported by BBC.
Investigators stress that ketamine should only be administered by a medical professional, with patients requiring close monitoring due to its potential risks.
British and American national Sangha, sporting a green “Nirvana” sweater, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and assorted charges in court on Thursday.
She was ordered to stand trial on October 15, 2024, facing the possibility of life imprisonment after bail was denied, following revelations of her extravagant lifestyle post-Perry’s demise, including a trip to Tokyo shortly after.
AFP reported that Perry relapsed into addiction in autumn 2023, coinciding with his ties with the two doctors, Plasencia and Chavez.
Plasencia reportedly sold Perry 20 vials of ketamine over two months for $55,000, each vial costing as little as $12.
In a text message, Plasencia expressed curiosity about Perry’s willingness to pay for the drug.
While aware of Perry’s deteriorating state, Plasencia injected him with ketamine on one occasion, witnessing adverse reactions but proceeded to leave more vials for Iwamasa to administer, as per Estrada.
Plasencia denied conspiracy charges related to ketamine distribution but was released on $100,000 bail, mandated to inform his patients of the pending charges and slated for trial on October 8, 2024, facing up to 120 years in prison.
In 2018, Perry encountered health issues due to drug use, including a burst colon and subsequent surgeries.
In his 2022 memoir, he narrated his detox struggles over the years, striving for sobriety since 2001 despite occasional setbacks.