Punjabi-origin ‘Ketamine Queen’ gets 15 years in Matthew Perry overdose death

Born into a Punjabi-origin family in London, she had relocated to California following her mother’s remarriage. She was also associated with a business in Los Angeles for some time but, as per court filings, had not held legitimate employment since at least 2019.

According to prosecutors, Sangha ran a “high-volume drug trafficking business” from her North Hollywood residence, described in court filings as a “stash house”, where ketamine and other narcotics were stored, packaged and distributed. A search in March 2024 recovered large quantities of drugs, including methamphetamine pills, ketamine vials, MDMA, counterfeit Xanax, along with cash, weighing scales and packaging material.

The case centred on two fatal overdoses, including that of Perry, the 54-year-old “Friends” star, who died from the acute effects of ketamine. Court documents said that Sangha acknowledged selling 51 vials of ketamine to co-accused Erik Fleming, who further supplied the doses to actor’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who administered multiple injections to Perry without medical supervision, including on the day of his death.

Prosecutors said Sangha was aware of the risks associated with ketamine use without clinical monitoring, yet continued to supply it. In their sentencing memorandum, they argued she displayed “cold callousness and disregard for life”, choosing “profits over people”.

The court also heard that after Perry’s death became public, Sangha attempted to distance herself, instructing Fleming to “Delete all our messages” on an encrypted platform.

Sangha further admitted to supplying ketamine in 2019 to another individual, Cody McLaury, who died hours later. After being informed of the death, she searched online whether ketamine could be listed as a cause of death.

During the sentencing hearing, Sangha expressed remorse, telling the court: “I pray for forgiveness every day… Thank you for giving me the harshest reality check of my life. Thank you for taking me out of the equation.”

Perry’s family submitted victim impact statements, with his mother describing the loss as “irreversible”. His stepfather later said, “We miss Matthew dreadfully… and I feel badly for the perpetrator here as well. Nobody won today.”

Judge Garnett imposed the 15-year term sought by prosecutors, who maintained that Sangha operated a long-running, sophisticated drug network catering to high-end clients while ignoring the consequences.

The case, investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Postal Inspection Service, also involved medical professionals accused of diverting ketamine outside legitimate channels. Sentencing of two co-accused, including Fleming and Perry’s assistant, is pending.

Federal prosecutors said the sentence sends a clear message on accountability in overdose deaths, particularly where controlled substances are supplied outside medical supervision.