
The Vivienne’s family share heartbreaking new details about the circumstances of their death
It's been seven months since they tragically passed away from 'misadventure'
Warning: This article may include content some readers may find distressing
The Vivienne’s mother Caroline has shared a heartbreaking update seven months after the Drag Race star was tragically found passed away in the bath.
His mother emotionally opened in the new documentary about the star, Dear Viv, and admitted that she’s currently “plodding on one day at a time” following the death of James.
She explained: “Every day after that has been not believing it. It’s a battle. It’s a real battle.”
She revealed what she wishes she could tell James, which was The Vivienne’s real name, saying: “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. Keep safe in heaven, keep Max safe for us. Did I say how proud I was?”
James’ sister Chanel also spoke in the documentary about the moment she heartbreakingly found her brother’s body in the house after it was discovered by his neighbour.
She recalled: “We drove to the house and there was ambulance, police and I just wanted to run straight up the stairs. We went in and he was lying on the floor. He just looked really peaceful.”
The coroner found that it’s likely that James passed away in the bath on Friday evening, and wasn’t found until Sunday.
They stated: “I am satisfied that James Lee Williams’ death was a misadventure. He took ketamine but he did not intend to end his own life.”
As for whether his family knew about his struggled with substances, his mother said: “I didn’t know until that point about it at all so he obviously hid it from me…I think he held that from us to protect us.”
The Vivienne’s family have previously explained that they would not wish for the Drag Race star to be remembered for their use of drugs, and that they didn’t define who they were.
Lee Williams, James’ father, described them as “an outgoing character who was full of life” and “just wanted to make people laugh.”
He said: “He achieved his goals. He had future goals he wanted to achieve. Along the way he always wanted to try to help his community, which he did and try to help other drag queens.
He was always available. He never turned anybody down. He never turned his back on anybody. He never said no.
“He loved the stage, that’s where he saw the rest of his career being, on the stage, in the theatre. That’s what he loved to do.”
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