Matthew Perry's Death: Indian-Origin Drug Dealer Arrested in Connection

August 19 :
Actor Matthew Perry died in October 2023 after a ketamine overdose; a 41-year-old lady of Indian descent was arrested in connection with his death. U.S. police detained seven people on August 15 in connection with the Perry murder inquiry; among them was Jasveen Sangha, alias the "Ketamine Queen," and a San Fernando Valley certified physician.

According to reports, Perry, 54, was apparently in a good mood when he passed away. He had struggled with anxiety and despair for a long time after conquering a major addiction in his 30s. But after the actor's tragic death, authorities looked into where the ketamine had come from.

It is believed that Sangha sold Perry the ketamine that caused him to overdose. Officials say she peddled narcotics like ketamine and methamphetamine from a "stash house" in North Hollywood. Sangha and another defendant, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, made their appearance in downtown Los Angeles's U.S. District Court on August 15. They entered not guilty pleas in response to the accusations.

The US attorney, Martin Estrada, stated that the defendants were more concerned with making money off of Mr. Perry than with his welfare.
The sale of ketamine and methamphetamine was something Sangha was involved in as early as June 14, 2019, according to court filings. Nearly 2,000 meth pills and 79 vials of liquid ketamine were confiscated during a March 2023 search on her residence by federal authorities. Since his arrest in March—which was for an unrelated case—Sangha has been free on a $100,000 bail.

The hallucinogenic, short-acting anesthetic ketamine is used for both medical purposes (such as treating depression and anxiety) and recreational purposes (such as abusing it). Perry reportedly sought out ketamine from other sources, including Sangha, in addition to the infusion medication he was already receiving for his anxiety. Court records show that Perry paid her $55,000 for 20 ketamine vials. Sangha faces a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison and a required minimum term of ten years if found guilty on all charges.