Latest news with #ChorltonByBackford
The Guardian
42 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Vivienne died from cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use, inquest finds
The drag artist known as The Vivienne died 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 5 January. The last time anyone had contact with them was two days earlier, a court was told, when a friend said it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine. Five drug snap bags were found in The Vivienne's property, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom, an inquest at Warrington coroner's court heard on Monday. Although the performer had struggled with drugs in the past, Williams's 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's 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, the 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, is that I'm satisfied that James Williams's death was a misadventure, he took ketamine but he did not intend to take his own life.' A report from a toxicologist, Dr Kerry Taylor, said tests showed a relatively high level of ketamine, but not at a level normally causing death. However, the drug can cause drowsiness, seizures and heart stimulation, and the concentration may have dissipated over time. Williams was the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and years later spoke about having been a drug addict. In April, their sister, Chanel Williams, questioned whether the 'stigma' surrounding drug use had prevented them from seeking help. She told the BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that The Vivienne did not discuss their relapse, including a hospital stay, to 'protect' their family, after a 'really long period of sobriety'. 'It's hard for me because I think, if that stigma wasn't there, would my brother have sought the help he needed?' she said. 'To think that, if we'd known, or if he'd have felt able to talk and really reach out for the help that was needed, the outcome could've been different. That's why we've shared James's story.' Williams's family have said they would work with the drug charity Adferiad on future campaigns. Their sister has called for ketamine to become a class A drug rather than class B, because people 'think it's less harmful than other drugs'. The government is seeking expert advice as the illegal use of ketamine has surged to record levels.
BreakingNews.ie
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Death of Drag Race star The Vivienne was misadventure, rules coroner
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 5th. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 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. Advertisement
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Inquest to examine death of RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne
The inquest into the death of The Vivienne, the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is set to take place. James Lee Williams, 32, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the drag queen had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. 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'. 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 in March 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 singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold 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.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inquest to examine death of RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne
The inquest into the death of The Vivienne, the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is set to take place. James Lee Williams, 32, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the drag queen had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. 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'. 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 in March 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 singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold 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.
