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FAKTA – Prominent attorney Mark Geragos recently stated that his client, Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” has no connection to the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry.
This statement comes after Sangha, 41, was charged as one of five individuals allegedly contributing to Perry’s fatal overdose last October.
However, Geragos firmly rejects claims that his client was involved in the tragedy, highlighting the lack of concrete evidence supporting these allegations.
Questioning the ‘Ketamine Queen’ Nickname
In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Geragos expressed his dissatisfaction with the nickname given to Sangha, especially since she never knew Perry personally.
“Even though I give the US Attorney an A for creativity in nicknaming her ‘The Ketamine Queen’ in the indictment, there is no strong basis for that,” Geragos said on Wednesday.
He added that the coroner’s report did not indicate homicide but rather cited Perry’s death as accidental.
Matthew Perry’s death occurred on October 28 last year at his Los Angeles home. The 54-year-old actor was found unresponsive in his bathtub, and initial reports stated that he appeared to have drowned.
However, in December, the autopsy revealed that Perry’s death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine. No drugs were found at the scene, raising questions about how Perry obtained the substance.
Ketamine Sales and Previous Cases
Prosecutors allege that Sangha sold ketamine to Perry, knowing the substance could be deadly. They also revealed a 2019 case in which Sangha sold ketamine to Cody McLaury, who died of an overdose hours later.
After McLaury’s death, a family member sent a message to Sangha, stating that her ketamine had caused McLaury’s death. Sangha then conducted a Google search with the question, “can ketamine be listed as a cause of death?”
When investigators searched Sangha’s home following Perry’s death, they discovered a large quantity of drugs, including approximately 79 vials of ketamine, 3.1 pounds of orange pills containing methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, and prescription drugs suspected to be fraudulently obtained. Authorities described the house as a “drug-selling emporium,” adding weight to the charges against Sangha.
However, Geragos insists that all this evidence is insufficient to directly link his client to Perry’s death.
“The coroner’s report clearly states death by accident, not homicide, and there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between Jasveen Sangha and Matthew Perry,” Geragos stated.
Ongoing Legal Dispute and Proceedings
Ciaran McEvoy, Public Information Officer at the US Attorney’s Office, told Newsweek that the nickname “The Ketamine Queen” did not originate from them but from Sangha’s own customers.
One of her acquaintances, Erik Fleming, used the nickname, but prosecutors emphasized that they do not give nicknames to defendants.
Geragos also stated that this case has garnered significant attention due to the aggressive approach taken by prosecutors in charging Sangha.
“I think this case has attracted a lot of attention because of the uniqueness of the prosecution’s decision, which shows that the US Attorney is very aggressive and ambitious in their prosecution theory.
I disagree with the nickname in the indictment, and I also disagree with the assumption that my client is responsible for this tragic death,” he added.
Sangha and another defendant, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, are scheduled to be tried together starting on March 4, 2025.
Both face multiple charges and could be sentenced to federal prison for decades if found guilty. So far, neither Sangha nor Plasencia has entered a plea.
Three others arrested in connection with Perry’s death include Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, 59; Dr. Mark Chavez, 54; and Erik Fleming, 54, all of whom have pleaded guilty to their charges.
Officials also revealed that Perry initially sought treatment for depression and anxiety and visited a local clinic where he became addicted to intravenous ketamine.
When clinic doctors refused to increase his dosage, Perry turned to unscrupulous doctors and street drug dealers.
This case continues with ongoing speculation and heated legal debates, while the public awaits further developments regarding the responsibility of the defendants in the death of one of the most beloved actors in the entertainment industry.
