The woman known as the "ketamine queen," who became a central figure in the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry, had a haunting nickname for him before his passing.
Perry passed away in October 2023 at the age of 54. He was found in the hot tub of his $6 million mansion in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, where his death was later attributed to the acute effects of ketamine - a powerful dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects.
Federal investigators allege that Jasveen Sangha, 41, was one of five individuals involved in providing the drug to Perry, who had struggled with addiction for years.
Sangha has been charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and multiple counts of distribution, including one charge for the distribution of ketamine resulting in Perry's death.
According to The Mirror, federal documents from the investigation reveal that Sangha referred to Perry using the name of his Friends character, Chandler Bing, in coded drug-related communications.
This startling detail emerged during the prosecution of Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry’s, who pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
The chilling connection underscores the exploitative nature of the relationship between Perry and his alleged suppliers.
Sangha is accused of running a "drug-selling emporium" from her home in North Hollywood, where authorities found more than 80 vials of ketamine and thousands of other pills, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax, during a raid in March 2024, per BBC News.
She is believed to have been supplying drugs to high-profile individuals, including celebrities, and operating within an underground Hollywood ketamine network.
The 17 Again actor had reportedly spent large sums of money, including handing over approximately $55,000 in cash to doctors and dealers, before his death.
The investigation also led to the indictment of several others, including medical professionals Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez, who allegedly sold ketamine to Perry. Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, also faces charges for helping administer the drug.
All five individuals have agreed to plead guilty to various charges, with Sangha expected to face up to 65 years in prison.
Federal authorities have condemned the actions of those involved in Perry’s death, highlighting how his addiction was exploited for profit.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada remarked: “These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being.”
"Matthew Perry's journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials," he added.
Sangha's social media presence painted a picture of an extravagant lifestyle, where she had lavish parties and mingled with celebrities at high-profile events like the Golden Globes and the Oscars, despite the dark reality of her alleged criminal activities.
As part of her plea agreement, Sangha has admitted to selling ketamine to other individuals, including one man, Cody McLaury, who tragically died in 2019 from a ketamine overdose.
The widespread availability of ketamine has raised significant concerns among authorities. Initially used only by medical professionals, it has found its way into the hands of recreational users and celebrities, contributing to the growing number of overdoses.
As Perry’s death reveals, the drug’s use is often unchecked, with devastating consequences.
Sangha is expected to formally enter her guilty plea in federal court in the coming weeks, marking another step in the ongoing legal reckoning for those responsible for the late Friends' star untimely death.