Details surrounding the death of RuPaul’s Drag Race star, The Vivienne, have been revealed during an inquest into the tragedy. The 32-year-old, whose real name was James Lee Williams, was found dead in the bathroom of their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, on Sunday, 5 January.
The police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances at the time, but a post-mortem examination has since identified an unnatural cause of death, as shared by coroner’s officer Amanda Edgar during the inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington on Wednesday, 12 February. The brief two-minute hearing also confirmed that Williams was identified by their father, Lee Williams.
Given the circumstances, an inquest has been opened and adjourned, with further investigations needed to fully understand the cause of death.
The Vivienne’s passing has left the community in shock. In 2023, the star became the first drag performer to compete on Dancing on Ice, where they finished in third place. In the days following their death, hundreds of family members, friends, admirers, and celebrities gathered in Liverpool to pay tribute to the star, who was known for his role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the UK touring production of The Wizard of Oz.
In a touching tribute, buildings were illuminated in green, reflecting his iconic role in the musical. Balloons were also released into the sky as those gathered said their final goodbyes to The Vivienne, a beloved figure in the drag community and beyond.
