The Vivienne was found by a neighbour in their bathtub after being dead ‘for a couple of days’, an inquest has heard
The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, whose real name was James Lee Williams, died aged 32 at home in Cheshire on January 5 this year, with her family revealing two months later that she died ‘from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest’.
An inquest on Monday morning heard that the star had been lying dead in the water for ‘a couple of days’ by the time she was found.
A forensic toxicologist added that there was a ‘relatively high’ level of ketamine in their system, which suggested ‘moderate to excessive use’ of the drug before their death, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The inquest was heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington, who said: ‘[Williams]did a lot for his community and he made a name for himself as a performing artist and as a drag artist as The Vivienne.
‘His family say he was very bold in pursuit of his dreams and that he made a difference… It is very important to the family that James is not remembered for his use of ketamine, because drugs don’t define the person he was.’
The coroner added: ‘On the balance of probabilities, I am satisfied that James Lee Williams’ death was a misadventure. He took ketamine but he did not intend to end his own life.’
The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told, while police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
During their time on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne opened up about their struggles with drug addiction.
The star, who was the show’s first ever winner in 2019, said on the programme at the time: ‘It was party, drugs, but I couldn’t leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.’
They added that their addiction was a ‘habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard’.
The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels.
In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
The Vienne’s funeral in North Wales was attended by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, as well as Steps star Ian ‘H’ Watkins, JLS singer Aston Merrygold, and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney.
After rising to fame on the BBC show, The Vivienne performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical.
Last year, they reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, and before their death they were set to return to stage in March, reprising their role as the Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
In February, The Vivienne was honoured with an icon award at the inaugural Metro Pride Awards.
During the ceremony, Drag Race UK stars performed a sensational tribute to The Vivienne, lip-syncing to Dead or Alive’s You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), one of their favourite songs and choreographed by Cheryl The Queen.
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