Heartbreaking details have emerged following the inquest into the death of James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, aged 32.
Drag queen The Vivienne, who grew up in Colwyn Bay in north Wales before moving to Liverpool, found fame in 2015 on the American series of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The star competed in the U.K. version of the show some time later and ultimately became the winner.
But fans were left devastated when the news of their death broke on January 5.
Their publicist, Simon Jones, confirmed the tragic news with a statement on Instagram, which read: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.
“James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person.
“Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother, and uncle.
“They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.”
At the time of their passing, police issued a statement which suggested there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
The TV star was found in their Cheshire home by a neighbor who had become increasingly concerned for their welfare.
Friends and family of the star could not get in contact with them, and neighbor Janine Godbold was forced to use her spare key to the property.
Following the inquest into The Vivienne’s death, coroner Jacqueline Devonish revealed that the TV personality had been found dead in their bath – ‘looking asleep.’
The cause of death was recorded as ‘misadventure,’ which is when a person dies by an accident, which they knew could have had fatal consequences.
The coroner has specified that the 32-year-old died two days prior to being found, and suffered a cardiac arrest caused by the effects of ketamine.
Bobby Musker, a close friend of the star, revealed that they had relapsed after years of sobriety.
Speaking during the inquest, he said: “I don’t want the public to see them just for what’s happened with their drug use because that wasn’t what defined them.”
He added: “They mentioned they’d been to Liverpool a few times. I knew they’d been to get k**amine.
“They didn’t want to take it (but) I knew they weren’t sober.”
But it was revealed that things were looking good for the star, as they were due to appear in the London West End production of Cabaret in just a few weeks time.
Extending her condolences to their family and close friends, the coroner concluded: “I am satisfied that James Williams’ death was a death by misadventure.
“They weren’t taking drugs every day. It was occasional and the focus should be on them because drugs did not define the person they were.”
The Vivienne’s sister, Chanel, said: “We acknowledge James’s death was as a result of drug use.
“We wholeheartedly know the outcome of James’s death was in no way James’s intention.”
