The Glamorous Facade and Dark Reality of Matthew Perry's Drug Supplier
Jasveen Sangha, the British-born woman dubbed the 'Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles', has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the tragic death of Friends star Matthew Perry. Behind her glittering lifestyle as a businesswoman and socialite lay a sinister drug-dealing operation that ultimately contributed to the actor's accidental drowning in 2023.
A Life of Privilege and Deception
Born into a wealthy Sikh family in Ilford, east London, Sangha enjoyed a privileged upbringing as an heiress set to inherit substantial wealth. She earned a BA from the University of California and an MBA from Hult Business School, seemingly following in her entrepreneurial family's footsteps. Friends described her as someone who "never needed money," with properties in the UK and a penchant for international travel.
However, this enviable background concealed a disturbing double life. While presenting herself as a curator of art, events, and music who attended Golden Globes and Oscars parties, Sangha was running what authorities called a "drug-selling emporium" from her North Hollywood home. Her operation dealt in methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax, and ketamine, primarily serving high-end clients and celebrities.
The Connection to Matthew Perry's Death
Matthew Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles hot tub on October 28, 2023. The 54-year-old actor's death was ruled an accident caused by the "acute effects of ketamine," which led to him slipping beneath the water and drowning. Perry had been receiving off-label ketamine treatments for depression from his doctor but sought additional supplies.
Investigations revealed Sangha as Perry's primary drug supplier during this period. She allegedly provided ketamine through the actor's friend Erik Fleming, who then gave it to Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. In his final days, Iwamasa was administering "at least six shots" of ketamine daily, spending approximately £42,000 on the drug.
Lavish Lifestyle and Continued Partying
Even after Perry's death, Sangha continued her extravagant lifestyle unabated. Just two weeks following the tragedy, she was photographed sipping lychee martinis at Tokyo's £1,500-per-night Mandarin Oriental hotel. Months later, she enjoyed poolside cocktails with friends in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Her social media showcased a world of designer shopping trips featuring Chanel and Louis Vuitton, international travel, and lavish parties. Sangha threw her 41st birthday celebration at a trendy West Hollywood bar and hosted a sequin-filled 70s-themed 40th birthday party beside a plush Mercedes. She socialized with celebrities including Charlie Sheen and indulged in expensive treatments like IV drips and sound healing sessions to recuperate after parties.
Family Troubles and Business Ventures
Despite the family's outward wealth, Sangha's mother and stepfather faced financial difficulties running KFC franchises in California. In 2013, they were sued by the company for over $50,000 for failing to pay branding royalties, and her stepfather declared bankruptcy before the case concluded. These troubles remained hidden behind Sangha's opulent public persona.
The MBA graduate also owned businesses including Stiletto Nail Bar in Studio City, which opened in 2015 but closed just two years later. This legitimate enterprise served as cover for her darker activities, with friends completely unaware of her drug-dealing operations.
Shock and Sentencing
Friends expressed utter disbelief upon learning of Sangha's criminal activities. Interior designer Clancy Carter, who knew Sangha since 2008, stated she "would never guess she would do something like this at all." University friend Jash Negandhi said he was "completely blindsided" by the revelations, noting that classmates never discussed any drug involvement.
In September, after initially denying charges, the 42-year-old pleaded guilty to five federal counts including distributing ketamine resulting in death or bodily injury. Before her sentencing this week, Sangha broke her silence from jail, telling The Sun: "There are no excuses for what I did. I am deeply sorry for the pain I caused, especially to Matthew's family. Their loss is unimaginable and permanent."
Matthew Perry's stepmother Debbie Perry called for the maximum sentence, asking the court to ensure Sangha "won't be able to hurt other families like ours." The 15-year prison term marks the conclusion of a case that exposed the dangerous intersection of Hollywood glamour, personal addiction, and criminal enterprise.
