The drag star – whose actual title was James Lee Williams – was discovered within the bathtub by a neighbour
Widespread drag queen performer The Vivienne’s demise was from misadventure resulting from struggling cardio-respiratory arrest after taking ketamine, a coroner has dominated. James Lee Williams, 32, was discovered within the bathtub by a neighbour at their dwelling in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on Sunday, January 5.
The final time anybody had contact with them was on the earlier Friday night, when their buddy, Bobby Musker, advised Warrington Coroner’s Court docket it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine. The inquest into their demise heard that 5 drug snap baggage have been discovered within the property, together with in a bed room drawer and a bin within the lavatory.
Though the performer had struggled with medicine previously, Williams’ household advised the listening to they shouldn’t be remembered for his or her use of ketamine and that medicine didn’t outline the particular person they have been. Family and friends had no worries about Williams’ psychological well being, the listening to was advised, and the performer was wanting ahead to future roles on TV and within the theatre, though did “often” take ketamine.
Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluding the inquest, stated: “The medical reason behind demise is cardio-respiratory arrest resulting from ketamine use. The conclusion, on the stability of possibilities, I’m happy that James Williams’ demise was a misadventure, he took ketamine, however he didn’t intend to take his personal life.”
Williams, who was born in St Asaph, North Wales, was the winner of the primary sequence of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and years later admitted having been a drug addict.
The coroner stated Williams had most likely died within the bathtub on the Friday night after taking ketamine, two days earlier than his physique was found by a neighbour after considerations have been raised a couple of lack of contact.
She added: “Nonetheless the toxicology outcomes point out that the focus discovered within the autopsy, regardless of two days having lapsed, was nonetheless pretty excessive, which suggests he might have reached a deadly degree on the Friday, I might describe that focus as acute.
“He made a reputation for himself within the performing arts as a drag artiste, often called The Vivienne. He was very daring within the pursuit of all his desires and used his platform to make a distinction.”
The inquest heard medical data confirmed Williams had struggled with drug use previously, together with with the usage of ketamine, cocaine and alcohol, however did cease taking medicine for numerous years and earlier than their demise didn’t routinely take ketamine.
On the time of their demise, Williams was within the Christmas break from performing in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, ending in Blackpool on December 30 earlier than the present’s tour started once more in March. Earlier, Bobby Musker described himself as Williams’ greatest buddy, who he had identified for 16 years, first working as drag queens in Liverpool.
Mr Musker stated he was conscious his buddy used ketamine, however had gone “years” not utilizing the drug – however would often take the substance.
He stated: “I knew he was not sober. He didn’t need to be taking it. He wasn’t taking it consistently. He struggled together with his sobriety, however he actually tried his hardest to not do it. It was not a relentless factor.”
Mr Musker stated he was the final to see Williams in a video name round 8.30pm on the Friday night earlier than their physique was discovered on the next Sunday.
He added: “I might inform when he was on it. He talked about he had been to Liverpool in an Uber. I knew that he had been to get ketamine.”
Mr Musker stated he understood his buddy deliberate to get a takeaway meal and have a shower. However he alerted Williams’ neighbour, Janine Godbold, to go spherical to their home round lunchtime on Sunday, after concern over an absence of contact.
Ms Godbold advised the court docket she turned good mates with Williams after the entertainer moved to the village the place she lived and so they turned close to neighbours. She had keys to Williams’ dwelling, Swallow Barn, and went along with her son Ryan, letting herself in.
Ms Godbold broke down in tears as she advised the court docket she discovered Williams within the bathtub. “He simply seemed like he was sleeping, I ran over to him and put my hand below his head,” she stated. “I stored maintain of him, I stored speaking to him.”
Paramedic Daniel Davies advised the listening to he was known as to the home, nevertheless it was shortly obvious there was no pulse and no medical intervention might assist. Det Sgt Thomas Philpotts, from Cheshire Police, stated he was known as to the scene as a result of “uncommon” circumstances.
When officers searched the home, Mr Philpotts stated, “a number of” snap baggage which he believed had contained medicine have been discovered within the lavatory bin and in a drawer.
The officer stated he concluded there was nothing suspicious and no suggestion of a third-party involvement, and it was doubtless Williams had died after a medical episode within the bathtub, presumably introduced on by drug use. A report from toxicologist Dr Kerry Taylor stated assessments confirmed a comparatively excessive degree of ketamine, however not at a degree usually inflicting demise.
Nonetheless, the drug may cause drowsiness, seizures and coronary heart stimulation and the focus might have dissipated over time. Dr David Butterworth, the pathologist who carried out the autopsy, stated there was no proof of drowning.
His report stated the usage of ketamine might have contributed to toxicity and demise and the quantities present in Williams’ physique might have been increased when he was alive than the degrees discovered after demise as a result of passage of time.
Dr Butterworth concluded: “This man has died from the results of cardio-respiratory arrest resulting from the usage of ketamine.”
James’ father, Lee Williams, advised the listening to: “He was simply an outgoing character who was vigorous, he simply needed to make folks giggle.
“He achieved his objectives. He had future objectives he needed to realize. Alongside the way in which he all the time needed to attempt to assist his group, which he did and attempt to assist different drag queens.
“He was all the time accessible. He by no means turned anyone down. He by no means turned his again on anyone. He by no means stated no.
“He beloved the stage, that’s the place he noticed the remainder of his profession being, on the stage, within the theatre. That’s what he beloved to do.”
An officer of the coroner’s court docket advised media that Williams’ household would love the media to make use of “they/them” pronouns for his or her beloved one. Male pronouns have been left in direct quotations as they’re verbatim as stated through the listening to.
