RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne died an “unnatural death” an inquest opening has been told. James Lee Williams, who performed as the drag queen, was found dead in the bathroom of their Cheshire home on Sunday January 5.
An inquest into the 32-year-old’s death was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington on Wednesday. Coroner’s officer Amanda Edgar told the hearing the performer was found dead in the bathroom at their home address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester.
Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. However Ms Edgar said: “Post-mortem testing has been undertaken, identifying an unnatural cause of death.”
The two-minute hearing was told the star was identified by their father, Lee Williams. Area coroner Victoria Davies said: “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.”
She said that further investigations are required. The case was adjourned and a full inquest was listed to take place on June 30.
The star grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales then moved to Liverpool. They won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
They 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 to be back on stage this month as the Childcatcher in the tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first portrayed last year.
Their funeral, held in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, last month, was attended by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi, Baga Chipz and Cheryl. Other stars included Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney.