The Vivienne: Drag Race winner found dead in bathroom, court hears
The Vivienne died of “unnatural causes” in her bathroom, a coroner has said.
The drag veteran died on 5 January 2025 at the age of 32, leading to an outpouring of grief in the LGBTQ community
The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season one champion’s body was identified by their father, Lee Williams, in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, the inquest heard.
Area coroner Victoria Davies added that further investigation was required, reports the BBC.
“Given the unnatural cause of death identified on post-mortem testing it is appropriate for me to formally open the inquest into the death of James Lee Williams,” Davies said.
Davies adjourned the inquest until 30 June.
“We are going to remember our dear The Vivienne with love and life” – RuPaul
Born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, in 1992, The Vivienne rose to prominence as the winner of the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. They quickly became a household name, celebrated for her sharp wit, charisma, and impeccable impersonations, including her viral portrayal of Donald Trump.
Beyond drag, the star explored music and acting. In 2022, they released their debut EP Bitch on Heels and starred as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. They reprised the role in London’s West End in 2023.
Paying tribute to The Viv at DragCon last month, RuPaul said of the Liverpudlian: “We are here to celebrate life and celebrate love and to spread it around. We want to focus on love.”
“We are going to remember our dear The Vivienne with love and life,” he continued. “Because that’s what she was all about and she would love for you to live your lives and to be free and to have a lot of fun and spread it around.”
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