Ottawa and the rest of Canada watched closely this week as a U.S. federal judge handed down a 15-year prison sentence to Jasveen Sangha, the woman prosecutors dubbed the 'ketamine queen,' for her role in supplying the drug that killed beloved Friends star Matthew Perry in October 2023.
The Sentencing
Sangha pleaded guilty to selling Perry the ketamine that caused his death. Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles argued for a stiff sentence, pointing to the scale of her drug operation and the devastating outcome. The judge agreed, handing down one of the harshest sentences tied to the high-profile case.
Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom for a decade, was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home hot tub. His death shocked fans worldwide — including the millions across Canada who grew up watching Friends.
A Case That Resonated Across Canada
For many Canadians, Perry's death hit close to home. He was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, but spent much of his childhood in Ottawa after his parents separated. He attended Rockcliffe Park Public School and Ashbury College in Ottawa's east end before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. The city has long claimed him as one of its own.
Ottawa residents took to social media in October 2023 to mourn the loss of one of the city's most famous alumni, with many sharing memories of spotting him around the capital during visits home.
Ketamine's Dual Identity
The case has prompted broader discussions about ketamine — a drug that is legally used in Canadian medical settings, including Ottawa hospitals, as an anesthetic and increasingly as a treatment for severe depression. However, illicitly sourced ketamine, often supplied at dangerous doses with no medical oversight, poses serious risks.
Health advocates in Ottawa and across Canada have used the Perry case to highlight the dangers of recreational ketamine use and the importance of harm-reduction resources for those struggling with substance use.
What Comes Next
Several other individuals have already been sentenced in connection with Perry's death, including his personal assistant and a physician. The Perry family has said they hope the legal proceedings bring some sense of accountability and serve as a warning about the deadly consequences of the illicit drug trade.
For Ottawa, the sentencing closes another chapter in the tragic story of a hometown talent who brought joy to millions — a reminder of both his legacy and the very real dangers of addiction.
Source: CBC Ottawa via CBC News
