Ketamine dealer sentenced for selling drugs that killed Matthew Perry

The 'Ketamine queen' will serve 15 years in federal prison for her role in the actor's overdose death.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:21pm

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An extreme close-up of a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the deadly drugs that led to a celebrity's overdose.A harsh, unforgiving portrait of the illicit drugs that claimed a celebrity life, exposing the grim realities of the opioid crisis.Los Angeles Today

A Los Angeles woman known as the 'Ketamine queen' was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Wednesday for providing the drugs that led to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing opioid crisis and the devastating impact of illicit drug distribution, especially involving powerful substances like ketamine that have been linked to a rise in overdose deaths in recent years.

The details

Prosecutors said the woman, whose identity was not released, was a major supplier of ketamine in the Los Angeles area. She was arrested and charged after an investigation found she had sold the drugs that caused Perry's fatal overdose.

  • Matthew Perry died from an accidental overdose in October 2025.
  • The 'Ketamine queen' was arrested and charged in December 2025.
  • She was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on April 8, 2026.

The players

Matthew Perry

A well-known American actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends, who died from an accidental overdose in 2025.

The 'Ketamine queen'

A major supplier of the drug ketamine in the Los Angeles area, who was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for providing the drugs that led to Matthew Perry's overdose death.

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What they’re saying

“This sentence sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the distribution of deadly drugs in our community.”

— U.S. Attorney

What’s next

The 'Ketamine queen' will begin serving her 15-year sentence immediately.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for greater regulation, education, and treatment resources to combat the ongoing opioid crisis and prevent future overdose deaths.