THE Vivienne was found in a bathtub by a neighbour after lying dead in the water for a “couple of days”, an inquest heard today.
James Lee Williams, who won the first series of RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK, was discovered at home near Chester on January 5.
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The 32-year-old’s family previously opened up about the star’s battle with ketamine – revealing Williams died from a cardiac arrest after taking the drug.
Cheshire Coroner’s Court heard today that a neighbour had found Williams in the bath after friends were unable to get in touch with them.
Janine Gobold said she had last spoken with Williams two days before their death when they arranged a shopping trip.
She told the inquest she then received a call from the star’s friend on January 5 asking if she had heard from them.
Janine said she would use her key to check on Williams and immediately noticed there were no footprints in the snow that showed they had been outside.
She added: “I went into the kitchen and Ryan [her son] went into the living room, we were calling his name and there was no answer. All the lights were on.
“As we got to the top of the stairs, Ryan went one way and I turned right. James’ bedroom is there and there is a door to the ensuite.
“I looked at James’ bed which was all ruffled, I initially thought Panda [Williams’ dog] had ragged the quilt on the bed.
“And then I walked past James’ bed and into the bathroom and saw James in the bath, he just looked like he was sleeping.”
Janine said she rushed over to stop their face going in the water then screamed at her son to call an ambulance.
Describing the scene at Williams’ home, she said there was a Deliveroo bag in the kitchen but told the court she saw no evidence of drug taking.
A paramedic who was called to the home said rigor mortis had already set in and it was evident Williams had been in the water for a “couple of days”.
Cheshire Police previously confirmed Williams’ death was not being treated as suspicious.
The inquest was told the star had a “significant history of substance misuse, including the use of ketamine, cocaine and alcohol.”
Williams’ best friend Bobby Musker said in the days leading up to the tragedy, the pair had been sending memes, videos and voicenotes to each other.
Bobby said Williams had been to Liverpool a couple of times, which he believes was to pick up ketamine.
He last spoke to the drag queen on January 3 at 8.22pm in a video call.
Bobby, who knew Williams for around 16 years, added: “I could kind of tell when he was on [ketamine], so I could tell he had taken some.”
The witnesses told how he received a call the following day from Williams’ manager asking if anyone had heard from the star.
After telling Janine to let herself into Williams’ home, he then got a call from her screaming: “He’s in the bath, he’s in the bath.”
Bobby immediately drove to the home and spoke to paramedics, who asked what Williams’ drug of choice was.
He added: “Him taking drugs didn’t define him as a person. He did so much for the good.
“I don’t want the public to see him just as what has happened, with drug use, that wasn’t the person that defined him. There was a lot more to him.”
The tragedy was announced by publicist Simon Jones, who paid tribute to the “incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person”.
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Sister Chanel Williams previously said Williams had “a really long period of sobriety” before relapsing, which the family only discovered after Williams’ death.
She said they will be working with the substance abuse charity Adferiad to raise awareness.
Williams had spoken about their drug addiction on 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.”
He added that Williams would be remembered for their “immense talent” and “the light they brought to every room was astonishing”.
Williams won the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, which aired in 2019.
They went on to compete in an all-winners season of the franchise in the US in 2022 – the only Brit to do so.
Williams also starred on BBC Three show The Vivienne Takes On Hollywood in 2020 and appeared on Channel 4‘s Celebrity Hunted For Stand Up To Cancer in 2022.
In 2023, Williams came third place on Dancing on Ice – with judge Oti Mabuse leading tributes to the “phenomenal entertainer” and “trailblazer”.
Presenter Holly Willoughby also shared her heartache at the start of last month’s new series.
She said: “Before we move on, like us, many of you will have been saddened by the tragic news of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend.
“Now they were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023.
“They’ll be very sorely missed and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage also paid tribute to Williams, writing that their death was “heartbreaking”.
Williams was born in Wales but moved to Liverpool as a teenager to launch a career as a make up artist.
They met husband David Ludford after moving to Gran Canaria in 2017.
The couple announced their separation in April 2023.
The inquest continues.
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