Tag: Matthew Perry

  • Jasveen Sangha aka Ketamine Queen charged over Matthew Perry’s death

    Jasveen Sangha aka Ketamine Queen charged over Matthew Perry’s death

    A woman allegedly known as the ‘Ketamine Queen’, who prosecutors say sold ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry the drugs that would kill him, didn’t look very regal when she appeared in a Los Angeles court this week.

    If they can prove their case against Jasveen Sangha – that the alleged Ketamine Queen made thousands of dollars from the troubled celebrity, selling him ketamine from her North Hollywood drug emporium – she might never see the outside of prison again. In the meantime, her court appearance in a green Nirvana sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants was a far cry from the party-filled jet-set lifestyle that investigators say she normally leads.

    The dual British-American national was one of five people charged in connection with the October 2023 death of the much-loved Perry, who was found unresponsive in the pool of his swanky Los Angeles home. Others included Perry’s live-in personal assistant, a go-between and two medical doctors who are alleged to have sold $12 vials to the celebrity for as much as $2,000 each, as they exchanged texts wondering “how much this moron will pay.” But it was the arrest and charging of Sangha that has particularly shone a light on the seedy side of Hollywood glamour.

    Court documents allege Sangha, 41, ran a huge drug operation out of her comfortable apartment – dubbed the ‘Sangha Stash House’ – where investigators discovered ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription medication like Xanax. Her source for the ketamine, she told broker Erik Fleming – who is also charged in connection with Perry’s death – was a ‘master chef’ and a ‘scientist’ through whom she boasted she could ‘fill any order’. “She only deal[s] with high end and celebs,” Fleming is said to have written to Perry’s personal assistant. “If it were not great stuff she’d lose her business.” High roller lifestyle Photos posted on the internet show Sangha partying with actor Charlie Sheen, a man with well-documented addiction problems.

    Her own Instagram account is packed with proof of a glitzy lifestyle that appears to include trips on private jets and plates of caviar in an airport lounge. Other photos show her sporting a range of designer wear, including jewellery from Van Cleef & Arpels, shoes by Louis Vuitton and clothes from Chanel. But the high-roller lifestyle was apparently funded through a trade in misery, exploiting the desperation of addicts like Perry.

    The dozens of doses of ketamine she allegedly sold him came in unmarked glass vials with a cheap blue plastic cap. Prosecutors say Sangha was a consummate saleswoman, offering a sample for Perry to try before he committed serious money. “It’s unmarked but it’s amazing,” she allegedly texted the middleman. “He [can] take one and try it and I have more if he likes.” And the final batch Sangha is alleged to have supplied – the one that resulted in Perry’s death at just 54 – came with a sweetener: ketamine lollipops, prosecutors say.

    Hours after news of the actor’s death emerged, Sangha set out to cover her tracks, investigators say, ordering middleman Fleming to ‘delete all our messages’. Two weeks later, she jetted off to Tokyo, posting smiling pictures of her posing in a kimono.The trip was one of around a dozen foreign jaunts she has taken since Perry died, a Los Angeles judge heard on Wednesday, which have also included Antigua and Mexico.

    That judge remanded Sangha in custody on Wednesday and ordered her to stand trial in October, after hearing her deny all charges.If convicted of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and the other charges she faces, Jasveen Sangha could be jailed for the rest of her life. Salvador Plasencia, one of the doctors also charged with supplying Perry, also denied the charges he faces. The other defendants have either pleaded guilty or agreed to do so in relation to their charges. They face between 10 and 25 years in prison.

  • Five charged over ketamine death of ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry

    Five charged over ketamine death of ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry

    Five people who allegedly supplied ketamine to “Friends” star Matthew Perry in a bid to exploit his drug addiction for profit have been charged in relation to his overdose death, US officials said Thursday.

    The actor died at his luxury Los Angeles home last year, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans around the world.

    “These defendants took advantage of Mr Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr Perry, but they did it anyway,” said federal prosecutor Martin Estrada.

    “These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr Perry than caring for his well-being,” said Estrada, the US attorney for the central district of California.

    Charges were levied against two doctors, Perry’s live-in assistant, a broker and a North Hollywood dealer known as “the Ketamine Queen,” who has been linked to the overdose death of another man.

    Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the hit TV sitcom from 1994 to 2004, was found unresponsive in his swimming pool in October. He was 54.

    An autopsy found the cause of his death was “the acute effects of ketamine,” a controlled drug the recovering addict was taking as part of supervised therapy.

    – ‘Drug-selling emporium’ –

    Estrada said Perry had fallen back into addiction in the autumn of 2023, when he began to be supplied by Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, both doctors.

    Over two months, they sold him 20 vials of the drug for $55,000. Each one cost them as little as $12, said Estrada.

    In one text message, Plasencia, 42, wrote: “I wonder how much this moron will pay… Lets [sic] find out.”

    Plasencia, who reportedly works in the tony Calabasas neighborhood outside Los Angeles, knew Perry was spiralling out of control, but carried on.

    “On one occasion, he injected Mr. Perry with ketamine, and he saw Mr. Perry freeze up and his blood pressure spike,” Estrada said.

    “Despite that, he left additional vials of ketamine for (Perry’s assistant Kenneth) Iwamasa to administer.”

    Perry also obtained the drug from Jasveen Sangha, a woman nicknamed “the Ketamine Queen,” through broker Eric Fleming, including the batch that would ultimately kill him.

    Her home was “a drug-selling emporium” containing methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription drugs like Xanax, officials said.

    Plasencia, whose ankles were chained when he appeared in court, denied one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, as well as a raft of other charges.

    He was released on $100,000 bail and ordered to inform his patients of the charges he faces. He was ordered to stand trial on October 8 and could be imprisoned for up to 120 years.

    Sangha, a dual British- and American citizen, wore a green “Nirvana” sweater when she entered not guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, and other charges.

    She was denied bail after the judge heard of a jet-set lifestyle that included a trip to Tokyo just two weeks after Perry’s death.

    She was ordered to stand trial on October 15, and could face life behind bars.

    The other defendants have either pleaded guilty or agreed to do so in relation to their charges. They face between 10 and 25 years in prison.

    – ‘Exploitation’ –

    Doctors and veterinarians use ketamine as an anesthetic, and researchers have explored its use as a treatment for depression.

    Underground users take it for its hallucinogenic effects, though it can be addictive and dangerous for people with underlying health problems.

    “Friends” (1994-2004), which followed the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adulthood, dating and careers, drew a massive global following and made megastars of previously unknown actors.

    Perry’s role as the sarcastic man-child Chandler brought him fabulous wealth, but hid a dark struggle with addiction to painkillers and alcohol.

    In 2018, he suffered a drug-related burst colon, and underwent multiple surgeries.

    In his 2022 memoir “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry described going through detox dozens of times.

    “I have mostly been sober since 2001,” he wrote, “save for about sixty or seventy little mishaps.”

    Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram told reporters Perry’s re-entry into destructive drug use began with “unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, and it ended with street dealers who sold him ketamine in unmarked vials.”

    “The desperation that led Perry to these individuals was not met with help… but instead it was met with exploitation.”

  • The one where the Friends say goodbye, co-stars bid moving farewell to Matthew Perry

    The one where the Friends say goodbye, co-stars bid moving farewell to Matthew Perry

    Hearts were shattered all across the globe when beloved ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry passed away in his home on October 28. On the eve of the announcement, fans and co-stars who worked on the show shared moving tributes, celebrating Perry’s beloved character Chandler Bing.

    Now, the main cast members of ‘Friends’, Matt LeBlanc and Courtney Cox, have spoken up publicly about their late friend and colleague.

    Matt shared pictures of Joey and Chandler on his Instagram account, honouring Matthew as a friend.

    “Matthew, It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life.
    It was an honor to share the stage with you and to call you my friend. I will always smile when I think of you and I’ll never forget you. Never.
    Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love.
    And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.”

    Courtney Cox, who played Chandler’s wife Monica on ‘Friends’, honoured him by sharing a behind the scenes titbit of the special moment on the show when Monica and Chandler become a couple.

    “I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day.

    When you work with someone as closely as I did with Matthew, there are thousands of moments I wish I could share. For now here’s one of my favorites.
    To give a little backstory, Chandler and Monica were supposed to have a one night fling in London. But because of the audience’s reaction, it became the beginning of their love story.
    In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say.
    He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind. ️”

    Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer have yet to give public statements. Multiple media outlets have said that sources close to Aniston confirm that the actress is having a very hard time dealing with Perry’s death.

  • ‘We are a family’: Friends costars release statement in wake of Matthew Perry’s death

    ‘We are a family’: Friends costars release statement in wake of Matthew Perry’s death

    Since Matthew Perry’s demise on Saturday in his Los Angeles home, social media and media organisations have waited with baited breath for his Friends’ costars to publicly address the tragedy.

    Now Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston and Matt Le Blanc have released a statement expressing their grief over the loss of their friend.

    In an exclusive statement issued to People Magazine, the five actors who starred alongside Matthew in ‘Friends’, wrote that they were devastated over the death of Matthew.

    “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

    “In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement further stated. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

    Since the announcement of Matthew’s death, previous ‘Friends’ actors have spoken about their joy of working with him. Hank Azaria, who guest-starred as Phoebe’s boyfriend in Season 1, posted a four minute video remembering his ‘first friend I made in Los Angeles’.

    “Matthew was the first friend I made in Los Angeles. When I moved there, I was 21. He was 16,” Azaria stated. “We did a pilot together called ‘Morning Maggie’ that never saw the light of day. But Matthew and I became really good friends. And we were really more like brothers for a long time. We drank a lot together. We laughed a lot together. We were there for each other in the early days of our career.”

    Paul Rudd, who starred as Phoebe’s boyfriend and later husband from Season 8 to 10 on Friends, shared a picture of Matthew on his Instagram account and wrote in the caption: “Words can’t express how saddened I am to hear of Matthew’s passing. You will be missed so so so dearly ”

  • ‘What a loss’: Maggie Wheeler, Friends creators mourn the death of Matthew Perry

    ‘What a loss’: Maggie Wheeler, Friends creators mourn the death of Matthew Perry

    Hollywood actor Matthew Perry’s death left the world in mourning. Celebrities and social media users paid condolences to the beloved actor. Perry was best recognised for his performance as the socially awkward and sarcastic Chandler Bing from the critically acclaimed comedy sitcom ‘Friends’. Colleagues from ‘Friends’ stepped forward to send their condolences to the actor.

    Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice in ‘Friends’, shared a picture of her and Matthew together on her Instagram account, writing that she mourned the loss of her close friend. We’re just going to keep hoping he’s still in Yemen.

    “What a loss.The world will miss you Matthew Perry . The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared. ♥️”

    Morgan Fairchild, who played Chandler’s mother Nora Bing on ‘Friends’, shared a picture from Chandler’s wedding when his mom and dad both walk him down the aisle.

    “I’m heartbroken about the untimely death of my “son”, Matthew Perry. The loss of such a brilliant young actor is a shock. And such a sweet, caring man, too! I’m sending love and condolences to his friends and family, especially his dad, John Bennett Perry, who I worked with on Falcon Crest & Flamingo Rd. Lovely family and such a heavy loss! #ripmatthewperry #ripmatty  ”

    Paget Brewster, who played Chandler’s love interest Kathy in Season 4 of Friends, wrote the actor would probably be too busy making everyone laugh in heaven.

    “I’m so very sad to hear about Matthew Perry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though.. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”

    The show-runners of ‘Friends’ Marta Kauffman and David Krane released a statement to US Weekly expressing their sorrow on the death of Matthew.

    “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words.”

    “From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us. We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment — not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.”

    Social media users are remembering Matthew’s brilliance as Chandler by sharing some of his best lines from the show.

    One user wrote “This hurts. he was a light in so many peoples lives. thank you for being our chandler bing, thank you for always putting a smile on our faces. i hope he knew how loved he was, thank you matthew perry.”

  • Friends’ star Matthew Perry engaged to the ‘greatest woman on the planet’

    Friends’ star Matthew Perry engaged to the ‘greatest woman on the planet’

    Chandler put a ring on it!

    Matthew Perry, best recognised for his role as Chandler in the popular 90s sitcom Friends, has gotten engaged to his longtime girlfriend Molly Hurwitz.

    Speaking to PEOPLE Magazine, Perry said: “I decided to get engaged. Luckily, I happened to be dating the greatest woman on the face of the planet at this time.”

    Matthew, 51, was first seen out with Molly, 29, in December 2019 at a restaurant in West Hollywood. Later, the two spent the holidays together.

    Hurwitz, who works as a literary manager, has posted about her relationship with Perry on social media several times over the last couple of years.

    She shared a photo of herself and Perry spending the holidays together last year, and later posted a sweet tribute to him on Valentine’s Day.

    “Second year being my valentine, but his first as an Instagram influencer,” she wrote on her private Instagram account. “HVD to my favorite.”

    According to some reports, the couple split for a brief period of time this year in May. But they later made amends and are now happily engaged.

    This will be Matthew’s first marriage. The actor previously dated Lizzy Caplan for six years before splitting in 2012. He has also reportedly dated Yasmine Bleeth and Julia Roberts.