Drugs didn't define who The Vivienne really was, says friend

MISADVENTURE VERDICT AFTER DRAG RACE STAR'S DEATH

- By PAT HURST

POPULAR drag queen performer The Vivienne’s death was from misadventure after suffering cardio respiratory arrest after taking ketamine, a coroner has ruled.

James Lee Williams, 32, was found in the bath by a neighbour at their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on Sunday January 5.

The last time anyone had contact with them was on the previous Friday evening, when their friend, Bobby Musker, told Warrington Coroner's Court it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine.

The inquest into their death heard that five drug snap bags were found in the property, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom.

Although the performer had struggled with drugs in the past, Williams' family told the hearing they should not be remembered for their use of ketamine and that drugs did not define the person they were.

Friends and family had no worries about Williams’ mental health, the hearing was told, and the performer was looking forward to future roles on TV and in the theatre, although did "occasionally" take ketamine.

Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluding the inquest, said: "The medical cause of death is cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use.

"The conclusion, on the balance of probabilities, I’m satisfied that James Williams’ death was a misadventure, he took ketamine but he did not intend to take his own life.”

Williams, who was born in St Asaph and grew up in Colwyn Bay, was the winner of the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and years later admitted having been a drug addict.

An officer of the coroner’s court told media that Williams' family would like the media to use “they/them” pronouns for their loved one.

The coroner said Williams had probably died in the bath on the Friday evening after taking ketamine, two days before their body was discovered by a neighbour after concerns were raised about a lack of contact.