Jasveen Sangha, the British-American woman dubbed the “Ketamine Queen”, is in prison after being sentenced to 15 years in a US federal facility for her role in supplying the ketamine that caused the death of Hollywood actor Matthew Perry in October 2023. Sangha, 42, was sentenced at a Los Angeles federal court on 8 April 2026.

Who Is Jasveen Sangha?

Jasveen Sangha is a 42-year-old dual British-American citizen who operated out of North Hollywood, California. Before her arrest, she lived what appeared to be a glamorous lifestyle, moving in wealthy social circles and portraying herself as an heiress. In reality, prosecutors alleged she was running an illegal drug operation from a so-called “stash house” — a property used to store and distribute illicit narcotics, including ketamine.

Sangha had no registered business or verifiable income that could account for her lifestyle. Investigators later uncovered text messages in which she discussed supplying controlled substances to clients, referring to herself and her operations in ways that led federal prosecutors to brand her the “Ketamine Queen.” She pleaded guilty ahead of her sentencing to multiple federal charges.

Matthew Perry’s Death and the Investigation

Matthew Perry, best known for playing Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom Friends, was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home on 28 October 2023. He was 54 years old. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was acute effects of ketamine. Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy — a legitimate clinical treatment sometimes used for depression — but the fatal dose did not come from his treating physicians.

A federal investigation was launched to identify those responsible for supplying the drugs. Investigators traced multiple transactions and identified a network of individuals who had sold Perry large quantities of ketamine outside of any medical supervision. Jasveen Sangha and an intermediary, Erik Fleming, were identified as key suppliers in the chain.

Prosecutors said Sangha and Fleming sold Perry 51 vials of ketamine across two transactions. One of these vials is believed to have contained the fatal dose. The amounts involved were far in excess of anything that could be explained by personal recreational use, pointing to deliberate commercial supply.

Charges and Conviction

Jasveen Sangha entered guilty pleas to a series of serious federal charges in the United States. These included one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count — the most serious — of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. This final charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence under US federal law.

Sangha’s guilty plea meant there was no trial. She accepted that she had knowingly supplied the drugs that led to Matthew Perry’s death, though the precise chain of events and the role of other individuals in the supply network was also explored through the prosecution of co-defendants. Her willingness to plead guilty was considered by the court when determining her sentence, though prosecutors had argued for an even longer term.

Her 15-Year Prison Sentence

On 8 April 2026, Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in a US federal prison. The sentencing took place at a federal court in Los Angeles. US federal prison sentences are generally served without the possibility of early parole in the traditional sense, though federal inmates can earn “good time” credits that reduce their time served.

At sentencing, the judge took into account the gravity of the offending — the supply of a controlled substance that directly caused the death of another person — as well as Sangha’s apparent lack of remorse during the early stages of the investigation, when she deleted messages and attempted to conceal her involvement. The 15-year sentence was seen by commentators as a significant term, reflecting the court’s view of the seriousness of profiting from the supply of drugs to someone known to be vulnerable.

The British Connection

Jasveen Sangha holds dual British and American citizenship. While her criminal activities took place in the United States, her British background attracted considerable media attention in the UK. She is one of several co-defendants prosecuted in connection with Matthew Perry’s death, and the case has prompted discussion in both countries about the unregulated supply of ketamine and the risks posed to individuals receiving ketamine treatment outside of properly supervised medical settings.

Ketamine is a Class B controlled drug in the United Kingdom under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Supplying it illegally in the UK carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. If you are concerned about drug use by someone in custody, you may wish to read our guide on how to contact someone in prison or learn about sending money to a prisoner to support them. For broader context on drug-related sentences in the UK, see our page on prison sentences in the UK explained.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Jasveen Sangha in prison?

Jasveen Sangha is in prison because she was convicted of supplying ketamine that led to the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry in October 2023. She pleaded guilty to federal charges including distribution of ketamine resulting in death and was sentenced to 15 years in a US federal prison on 8 April 2026.

Is Jasveen Sangha British?

Yes. Jasveen Sangha holds dual British and American citizenship. She was living in North Hollywood, California at the time of her arrest and is serving her sentence in the United States, but her British heritage has attracted significant media coverage in the UK.

How long is Jasveen Sangha’s prison sentence?

Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. The sentence was handed down on 8 April 2026 at a federal court in Los Angeles. Federal inmates in the US can earn good time credits but do not have access to parole in the traditional sense.

Who else was charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death?

Several individuals were charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death. These included Erik Fleming, who acted as an intermediary between Sangha and Perry, as well as others involved in the supply chain. Perry’s own doctors were also investigated for their role in his ketamine treatment.

What is ketamine and why is it controlled?

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that has legitimate medical uses, including as a surgical anaesthetic and, increasingly, as a treatment for severe depression under clinical supervision. It is a Class B controlled drug in the UK and a Schedule III controlled substance in the US. When used outside a medical setting in uncontrolled doses, it poses serious risks including respiratory depression and death.