Matthew Perry's 'Ketamine Queen' dealer jailed for 15 years

Lead

A Los Angeles woman dubbed the "Ketamine Queen" has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the 2023 death of "Friends" actor Matthew Perry. Jasveen Sangha, 42, a dual US-British citizen, pleaded guilty in September to five felony drug counts, including distributing ketamine that resulted in death, according to multiple news reports.

The sentence was handed down by US District Judge Sherilyn Garnett on Wednesday, reported by ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, the BBC, Deutsche Welle, France 24, and the South China Morning Post. Sangha has been in custody since her arrest in August 2024.

Coverage Comparison

All six outlets covered the sentencing with a crime-and-punishment focus, emphasizing Sangha's guilty plea and the 15-year term. However, their descriptions of her operation and demeanor varied. ABC Australia, Deutsche Welle, and the South China Morning Post used neutral language, referring to her home as a "stash house." The BBC and France 24 described it as a "drug-selling emporium," a phrase attributed to prosecutors. Al Jazeera noted that Sangha expressed regret, while the BBC reported the judge said she showed no remorse. These differences reflect the outlets' sourcing and framing choices.

Key Claims

Jasveen Sangha pleaded guilty to five felony drug counts, according to all six outlets. She was sentenced to 15 years for supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry through a go-between, as reported consistently across the coverage. Perry died from the "acute effects of ketamine" in October 2023, which caused him to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub, per autopsy findings cited by ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, BBC, Deutsche Welle, France 24, and South China Morning Post.

Sangha's home was described as a "stash house" or "drug-selling emporium" for illegal narcotics, with prosecutors saying she catered to wealthy clients, according to ABC Australia, Deutsche Welle, BBC, and France 24. The BBC and France 24 also reported that Sangha sold ketamine to another person who died from an overdose, a detail not mentioned by the other outlets.

Perry became addicted to ketamine during infusions at a clinic for anxiety and depression, as reported by Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, and others. Sangha's plea deal included an acknowledgement of causing Perry's death, according to the South China Morning Post, a detail not featured in other outlets' reports.

Perspectives

Sangha expressed remorse in court, saying, "I take full responsibility for my actions. These were horrible choices that ultimately proved tragic," as quoted by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle. However, Judge Garnett said Sangha showed no remorse, citing her continued sale of ketamine after Perry's death, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera.

Prosecutors described Sangha as an "exclusive dealer" for high-profile clients, noting her cold callousness and disregard for life, as reported by ABC Australia and the BBC. Perry's family, through victim impact statements, called her "heartless" and asked for the maximum sentence, per the BBC.

Sangha's lawyers argued for a sentence of time served, citing her lack of prior record and good behavior, as reported by the South China Morning Post and ABC Australia. The judge imposed the 15-year term, the harshest among the five co-defendants, including two physicians, according to France 24.