'Ketamine Queen' gets 15 years in prison for selling Matthew Perry the drugs that killed him

A federal judge in Los Angeles, California, sentenced 49-year-old Kirsten Erwin, known as the 'Ketamine Queen,' to 15 years in federal prison on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, for her role in supplying the ketamine that led to the death of beloved actor Matthew Perry in October 2023. Erwin had previously pleaded guilty to charges of distributing a controlled substance resulting in death, a charge stemming from her operation of a drug distribution network that supplied high-grade ketamine to wealthy clients in the Los Angeles area. The sentencing marks a significant conclusion to a high-profile case that began with Perry's tragic death at his Pacific Palisades home. Authorities determined the 54-year-old 'Friends' star died from the acute effects of ketamine, which was found in his system at a level associated with anesthesia. Investigators traced the ketamine to Erwin's sophisticated operation, which prosecutors described as catering to an elite clientele, using encrypted messaging and couriers to deliver the dissociative anesthetic, often marketed for its psychoactive and purported therapeutic effects. During the emotional sentencing hearing, prosecutors detailed how Erwin, a former anesthesiology nurse, exploited her medical knowledge to purify and distribute ketamine, knowingly putting lives at risk for financial gain. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that Perry's death was a preventable tragedy caused by the illegal drug trade. The case has drawn renewed attention to the dangers of illicit ketamine use outside controlled medical settings and the ongoing opioid and drug crisis affecting communities nationwide. Perry's family and representatives provided victim impact statements, describing the profound loss felt by his loved ones and fans worldwide. The 15-year sentence, which is near the maximum for the charge, sends a strong message about the legal consequences of distributing drugs that result in death. The investigation also led to charges against several associates in Erwin's network, with cases still pending, highlighting continued law enforcement efforts to combat high-level drug trafficking operations.