Tragic new details emerge regarding Drag Race UK’s The Vivienne’s sudden passing earlier this year.
The queen, whose real name was James Lee Williams, was found unresponsive in the bathroom of their home on January 5, 2025. They were just 32 years old.
The Vivienne's manager, Simon Jones, previously confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE that the reality TV star died “from the effects of ketamine use, causing a cardiac arrest.”
On Monday, June 30, a formal inquest heard the RuPaul's Drag Race UK star lay in a bath filled with water for "a couple of days" before being found.
Bobby Musker, The Vivienne’s best friend, said they had not heard from the Drag Race UK alum the Saturday before they were found dead.
He recalled having had a "bad feeling and knew something wasn’t right,” when no one was able to reach The Vivienne and asked a neighbor to check on the drag artist, according to The Sun.
Paramedic Daniel Davies told the court that when he arrived, he found the star in the tub with their feet sticking out. The bath was filled with “murky brown/black” colored water that was cold to the touch.
The paramedic noted there was no pulse present and that rigor mortis was present in their lower limbs.
“It was at that point that it was evident that James had been there for a couple of days,” Davies told the court of The Vivienne, per The Liverpool Echo. He ruled the star dead at 12:31 p.m. local time.
Their sister Chanel told the court: “We acknowledge that James’ death is as a result of drug use but we wholeheartedly know that was not their intention. They loved life, they loved their family and friends and they loved their career.”
The star’s father, Lee, told the proceedings that his son had a “quiet and private life,” adding: “He never turned his back on anyone. He wanted to help his community, to help other drag queens achieve their goals.”
DragCon UK this year also helped keep her memory alive with a special tribute to the Liverpool queen.
RuPaul took a moment to say: “We want to focus on love, and we are going to remember our dear The Vivienne with love, life, happiness, because that’s what she was all about.”
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