Drag queen James Lee Williams – referred to as “The Vivienne”- died after taking ketamine, their circle of relatives has stated.
Williams, who gained the primary collection of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 beneath their drag title, used to be discovered lifeless on the age of 32 at their house in Cheshire on 5 January.
In a observation shared in an Instagram tale these days, Williams’ supervisor Simon Jones stated the “circle of relatives and I believe it is very important say how James tragically died”.
Mr Jones endured: “We are hoping that via us freeing this knowledge, we will carry consciousness in regards to the risks of ongoing ketamine utilization and what it could possibly do in your frame.
“Ketamine utilization is on the upward thrust, in particular among younger other folks, and I do not believe the whole risks of the drug are being mentioned.”
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Mr Jones added that he and the circle of relatives are running with psychological well being and habit provider Adferiad on a marketing campaign to “carry essential consciousness and provides knowledge on learn how to get assist if you’re suffering with ketamine utilization”.
Williams reportedly died after struggling a cardiac arrest led to via ketamine – a common anaesthetic that also is used as a leisure drug,
Donna Chaves, from Adferiad, stated: “We’re extremely thankful to James’s circle of relatives for opting for to toughen and paintings with us in this marketing campaign.
“Their braveness in sharing James’s tale will assist carry essential consciousness of the devastating have an effect on substance use may have. We’re seeing a being concerned upward thrust within the selection of other folks the usage of ketamine, incessantly blind to the intense dangers it poses to their bodily and psychological well being.
“Dependancy can have an effect on any person, and too many of us endure in silence because of stigma and lack of information.
“By means of opening conversations and difficult misconceptions, we will assist save you additional tragedies and toughen the ones in wish to in finding hope and restoration.”
An inquest into the dying of Williams used to be opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner’s Court docket in Warrington closing month.
The TV persona, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, sooner than shifting to Liverpool, got here 3rd within the 2023 version of Dancing On Ice.
The megastar carried out because the Depraved Witch of the West in a UK and Eire excursion of The Wizard Of Oz. musical and reprised the position within the West Finish on the Gillian Lynne Theatre closing 12 months.
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Symbol: The Vivienne on the premiere of the movie ‘Depraved’ in November 2024. Pic: AP
They had been due again on degree this month because the Childcatcher in a excursion of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a job they first performed closing 12 months.
Their funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, used to be attended via RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, in conjunction with Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, TV persona Kim Woodburn and Coronation Side road actress Claire Sweeney.
The federal government is looking for skilled recommendation after unlawful use of ketamine surged to report ranges.
Within the 12 months finishing March 2023, an estimated 299,000 other folks elderly 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is managed as magnificence B, in line with the House Workplace.
In step with the United Kingdom nationwide anti-drug advisory provider Frank, ketamine reduces sensations within the frame which may make customers really feel dream-like and indifferent, chilled, comfy and glad, but additionally puzzled and nauseated.
A complete inquest into the dying of The Vivienne used to be indexed to happen on 30 June.
