Family reveal how drag queen The Vivienne tragically died to warn others

Yahoo

17-03-2025

Drag queen The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, their family has said.
James Lee Williams, who won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK under their drag name, was found dead at the age of 32 at their home in Cheshire on January 5.
Their manager and friend Simon Jones said: 'James's family and I feel it is important to say how James tragically died. It was from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest.
'There will, of course, be a formal inquest this June.
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'I hope that by us releasing this information we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do your body.
'Ketamine usage is on the rise, particularly amongst young people, and I don't think the full dangers of the drug are being discussed.
'We hope that by working with (charity) Adferiad we can raise vital awareness and give information on how to get help if you are struggling with ketamine usage.'
During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years.
Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.'
They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'.
'I had to be kicked out of my house and told that I would be dead by the time I was 30.
'It was the loneliest part of my life, I was killing myself… and my family don't even know. I was pissing my life up the wall and I could've been dead now if I didn't do anything about it.'
Donna Chaves, from charity Adferiad – who operates across Wales and England, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to James's family for choosing to support and work with us on this campaign.
'Their courage in sharing James's story will help raise vital awareness of the devastating impact substance use can have. We are seeing a worrying rise in the number of people using ketamine, often unaware of the serious risks it poses to their physical and mental health.
'Addiction can affect anyone, and too many people suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of understanding.
'By opening conversations and challenging misconceptions, we can help prevent further tragedies and support those in need to find hope and recovery.'
An inquest into the death of The Vivienne was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington last month.
The TV personality, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
They were due back on stage this month as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year.
Their funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney.
The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels.
In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
According to the UK national anti-drug advisory service Frank, ketamine is a general anaesthetic that reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated.
A full inquest into the death of The Vivienne was listed to take place on June 30.
FACTFILE
– What is ketamine?
According to the UK national anti-drug advisory service Frank, ketamine is a general anaesthetic that reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated.
It can be used for both humans and animals.
The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust website says ketamine is a licensed anaesthetic drug that can also be used as an 'off-label' treatment for depression, because it has not been licensed for use as an antidepressant in the UK.
It says that its brief rapid antidepressant effect has been confirmed in many several clinical trials over the last 20 years.
A closely related version, nasal esketamine, is licensed but has not been approved for routine NHS use, mainly because of cost.
– Is ketamine illegal in the UK?
Ketamine is a class B drug, which means it is illegal to have without a prescription and anyone selling or using it faces a fine or prison sentence.
Advisory service Frank said it is also known as ket, special k, super k or vitamin k.
The maximum penalty for producing and supplying ketamine is up to 14 years in prison.
– Can ketamine be used legally at all in the UK?
The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust says ketamine infusion therapy can be given to people who have depression which has not responded to other treatments.
The health trust provides a self-pay ketamine treatment service after suitability is agreed following a referral letter from a GP or psychiatrist.
Patients are then given a series of intravenous ketamine infusions, with the average duration of initial benefit 10 days, according to the trust's website.
Oral ketamine, supplied as a liquid which can be taken at home, can help maintain the benefit of infusions.
As with conventional antidepressants, regular treatment over several years is often needed, the trust says.
– How popular is the drug in the UK?
The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels.
In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has also written to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs asking whether its classification should be changed and said she would 'carefully consider' its findings.