The world of drag changed forever on January 5, 2025. That was the day we found out James Lee Williams, better known as the powerhouse The Vivienne, was gone. Honestly, it didn't feel real. One minute she’s touring as the Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the next, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 1 is just... not here.
For months, the internet was a mess of rumors. People were guessing everything from sudden illness to foul play. But the actual The Vivienne cause of death was eventually confirmed by her family and a coroner’s inquest. It turns out, James died from a cardiac arrest brought on by the effects of ketamine use.
He was only 32.
The Inquest and the Final Moments
When the news first broke, the details were kept under wraps to give the family some space. Eventually, the Cheshire Coroner's Court filled in the blanks. It’s pretty heavy stuff. James was found in the bathroom of his home in Chorlton-by-Backford by a neighbor after friends couldn't get a hold of him for a couple of days.
The coroner, Jacqueline Devonish, officially ruled the death as "misadventure."
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Basically, that means it wasn't a suicide. James didn't intend to end his life. He took the drug, and his heart simply couldn't take the strain. Toxicologist Dr. Kerry Taylor noted that while the ketamine levels were high, they weren't necessarily at a "lethal" dose for everyone, but they were enough to trigger a fatal cardio-respiratory arrest.
Five snap bags were found at the scene. It’s a stark, lonely image for someone who spent their life under the brightest lights imaginable.
The Struggle with Sobriety
What makes this so much harder for fans is that James had been so open about his past. If you watched Series 1 of Drag Race UK, you remember him talking about his addiction. He’d been clean for a long time—years, actually. He even told the judges back then that he used to be a "drug addict" and that his habit "caught on a bit too quick."
He beat it once. He worked hard.
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But as his sister, Chanel Williams, later shared in a moving interview with the BBC, the pressure of fame and the "stigma" around relapse is a dangerous mix. She mentioned that the family had no idea he was struggling again. He was apparently trying to protect them.
"If that stigma wasn't there, would my brother have sought the help he needed?"
That's the question that haunts her. It’s a reminder that even when someone looks like they’re at the top of their game—performing in the West End, appearing on Dancing on Ice—they might be fighting a quiet battle at home.
Why Ketamine is Moving into the Spotlight
In the wake of this tragedy, the Williams family didn't just hide away. They've started working with the charity Adferiad to push for more awareness.
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You’ve probably noticed ketamine is in the news a lot more lately. It's often written off as a "party drug" or a "horse tranquilizer," which makes people think it’s less dangerous than it actually is. But the reality is it’s wrecking bladders and stopping hearts across the UK. Chanel has even called for it to be reclassified as a Class A drug because the current Class B status makes it seem "safe" to some younger users.
The Vivienne's Final Legacy
Despite the tragic circumstances, James Lee Williams was so much more than his cause of death. He was a pioneer. He gave us the best Donald Trump impression the world has ever seen. He showed that a queen from North Wales could conquer the world.
At his funeral in Bodelwyddan, the plumes on the horses were green—a nod to his iconic run as the Wicked Witch of the West. His fellow queens like Baga Chipz and Tia Kofi were there, alongside stars like Kim Woodburn. They weren't just mourning a celebrity; they were mourning a friend who was "warm-hearted" and, above all, hilarious.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, don't wait for a "rock bottom" that might never come.
Next Steps for Support:
- Talk to someone: Relapse is not a failure; it’s a medical hurdle. Reaching out to a GP or a local support group can be the first step back to safety.
- Check out Adferiad: The charity the Williams family is working with provides incredible resources for those dealing with addiction and mental health issues.
- Carry Naloxone if applicable: While it doesn't work for ketamine, having overdose reversal tools for other substances in the community saves lives.
- Break the stigma: If a friend tells you they've slipped up, listen without judgment. It might be the only thing that keeps them from hiding their struggle.
The Vivienne lived life in loud, vibrant color. The best way to honor that is to make sure we're looking out for the people in our lives who might be suffering in the quiet, grey areas.