The Vivienne's cause of death confirmed after she died at 32

The cause of death for James Lee Williams, best known as drag performer The Vivienne, has been confirmed by their family. Williams, who wo...

The cause of death for James Lee Williams, best known as drag performer The Vivienne, has been confirmed by their family.

Williams, who won the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, was found dead in their Cheshire home in January. Their death sent shockwaves through the drag and entertainment communities, with fans and fellow performers mourning their passing.

The Vivienne. Credit: John Lamparski / Getty

Originally from Colwyn Bay, Wales, before settling in Liverpool, Williams made history as the first Drag Race UK winner and later competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, becoming the only UK queen to do so. They went on to have a diverse career spanning television and theatre.

Their family honored their memory with an emotional vigil in Liverpool, describing them as someone who "brought the sparkle to life" and would be missed "for eternity."

A star-studded funeral took place in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, at the end of January, attended by celebrities including Jade Thirlwall, Ian "H" Watkins, and several fellow drag queens.

The Vivienne passed away at age 32. Credit: Jamie McCarthy / Getty

Their family has revealed that Williams died from a cardiac arrest caused by the effects of ketamine, BBC News reports.

In a statement, Williams’ sister Chanel Williams said the family remains devastated and is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of ketamine use.

"If we can help raise awareness of the dangers of this drug and help people who may be dealing with ketamine addiction, then something positive will come from this complete tragedy," she said.

Williams had openly discussed their past struggles with ketamine addiction during Drag Race UK and sought help for substance use. Their family now hopes to continue this legacy by working with the substance abuse charity Adferiad to educate others about the risks of ketamine.

"Ketamine is an extremely dangerous drug that is becoming more and more prevalent in the UK," Ms. Williams added.

The Vivienne. Credit: Shirlaine Forrest / Getty

Cheshire Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Williams’ death. An inquest is set for June to officially determine the cause.

Simon Jones, Williams' manager and close friend, said the family felt it was important to share the details of their passing to prevent future tragedies.

"I hope by us releasing this information, we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do to your body," he said.

Williams won the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Credit: Karwai Tang / Getty

Ketamine, originally developed as an anaesthetic, has increasingly been used as a recreational drug, particularly among young people.

According to the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, the number of under-18s in England seeking treatment for ketamine-related issues nearly tripled from 335 in 2020-21 to 917 in 2023-24.

Donna Chavez, a spokesperson for Adferiad, praised the Williams family for their advocacy.

"Their courage in sharing James' story will help raise vital awareness of the devastating impact substance use can have," she said. "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."

Williams’ death has prompted a broader conversation about ketamine abuse and its effects. By sharing their story, their family hopes to encourage open discussions and provide support for those struggling with addiction.