Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” who was arrested and is facing charges in connection with Matthew Perry’s death, might have referred to the late actor as his iconic “Friends” character “Chandler” when discussing his ketamine use.
Alleged street dealer Erik Fleming claimed Sangha referred to Perry “using a name of a well-known character that [Perry] portrayed in a television series” when they allegedly communicated about selling the drug to Perry on or about October 12, 2023, according to Fleming’s plea deal obtained by Us Weekly.
While the late star was famous for playing Chandler Bing on “Friends” from 1994 to 2004, the documents reportedly do not specify which character name she allegedly used.
Sangha and Fleming were two of the five people charged in connection to Perry’s death. Others include two doctors, Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez, and the late actor’s former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
Perry unexpectedly died on October 28, 2023, at 54. He was discovered in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home.
His cause of death sparked a large-scale criminal investigation after the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office revealed he had passed from “acute effects of ketamine.” Drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use) were listed as contributing factors.
Prosecutors claim that Fleming and Sangha spoke on the phone the day Perry died and allegedly discussed “distancing themselves from the aforementioned drug deals by, among other things, deleting digital evidence on their cell phones.”
Fleming is also accused of sending Sangha a text using an encrypted messaging service in the days after Perry’s passing, saying he felt “90 percent sure everyone is protected” and referring to Iwamasa as the “enabler.”
Fleming, who was an acquaintance of Perry’s, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Sangha was hit with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
Sangha, along with Chavez and Plasencia, was also charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. “The Ketamine Queen” and Plasencia pled not guilty, but Chavez has agreed to plead guilty.
Perry’s former assistant Iwamasa pled guilty earlier this month to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. He also admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including on the day of the star’s death.
Perry would have turned 55 on Tuesday, August 20, and the “Friends” official Instagram page paid tribute to the fallen star.
“On this day, we remember the light that was Matthew Perry,” the message read alongside a photo of him.
Perry’s family, including his famous stepfather, “Dateline” host Keith Morrison, spoke out following the arrests.
“We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously. We look forward to justice taking its course,” they told NBC News.
Perry played Chandler on all ten seasons of “Friends.” He starred in 235 episodes alongside his co-stars, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, who all grieved the loss of their dear friend.