A Los Angeles woman who federal prosecutors say supplied the ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, marking the most severe punishment handed down in the ongoing criminal case surrounding the beloved "Friends" star's death.

Jasveen Sangha, 42, was known among her customers as the "Ketamine Queen," according to prosecutors who portrayed her as a dealer who operated with callous indifference to the dangers of the drugs she sold. The sentence, handed down this week in federal court, comes more than two years after Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his Pacific Palisades home in October 2023.

The actor's death at age 54 shocked fans worldwide and sparked a complex investigation that ultimately led authorities to charge five people in connection with what prosecutors described as a sprawling network that supplied Perry with the surgical anesthetic in the final weeks of his life.

A Network of Suppliers

According to court documents and testimony, Sangha was a central figure in the chain that provided Perry with ketamine outside of legitimate medical channels. Prosecutors presented evidence that she sold the drugs knowing they would be used recreationally, not therapeutically, and that she continued selling even after learning of the risks.

The investigation revealed that Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety through legitimate medical providers. However, prosecutors say he began seeking additional doses beyond his prescribed treatments, ultimately connecting with a network of suppliers that included Sangha, physicians, and intermediaries.

"This defendant cared more about profit than people," prosecutors argued during sentencing hearings, as reported by the New York Times. "She knew the dangers of what she was selling, and she sold it anyway."

Perry's Struggle and Final Days

Matthew Perry had been open about his decades-long battle with addiction, detailing his struggles with alcohol and prescription drugs in his 2022 memoir. He had sought treatment multiple times and had become an advocate for addiction recovery, even converting his former Malibu home into a sober living facility.

In the months before his death, Perry had been exploring ketamine therapy as a treatment for depression and anxiety. The drug, when administered in controlled medical settings, has shown promise for treatment-resistant depression. However, the autopsy revealed Perry had ketamine levels in his system consistent with general anesthesia, far beyond therapeutic doses.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Perry's death an accident caused by "acute effects of ketamine," with contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.

Multiple Defendants, Varying Sentences

Sangha's 15-year sentence is the longest handed down so far, but she is not the only person facing consequences in Perry's death. The case has highlighted how prescription drug networks often involve multiple players, from licensed medical professionals to street-level dealers.

Two doctors were also charged in connection with the case, accused of providing Perry with ketamine and profiting from his addiction. Several other individuals face charges related to distributing the drug or acting as intermediaries between Perry and his suppliers.

Legal experts note that Sangha's sentence reflects both the severity of the outcome and prosecutors' determination to hold accountable those who profit from supplying dangerous drugs outside legitimate medical channels. The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile overdose deaths where suppliers faced criminal charges, including the cases involving Prince and Mac Miller.

Broader Implications

The Perry case has renewed attention on the challenges of regulating ketamine, which exists in a gray area between legitimate medical use and recreational abuse. While the drug has gained acceptance as a treatment for depression, delivered through specialized clinics under medical supervision, it remains a controlled substance with significant abuse potential.

Addiction specialists say the case underscores the vulnerability of people in recovery, who may seek alternative treatments for mental health issues but can find themselves drawn back into patterns of substance abuse. Perry himself had spoken about the constant vigilance required to maintain sobriety.

"Matthew Perry's death was a tragedy that didn't have to happen," said one addiction medicine expert familiar with the case. "It shows how even people with resources, support, and genuine desire for recovery can fall victim to a system that allows dangerous drugs to flow outside proper medical channels."

The sentencing of Sangha and others in the case sends a message that authorities are willing to pursue serious charges against those who supply drugs that lead to fatal overdoses, even when the victims are adults who sought out the substances themselves.

For Perry's family, friends, and millions of fans, the legal proceedings offer some measure of accountability, though they cannot undo the loss of an actor who brought joy to countless viewers and who had worked to help others struggling with addiction.

The remaining defendants in the case are expected to face sentencing in the coming months, though none are anticipated to receive terms as lengthy as Sangha's 15-year sentence.