‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star The Vivienne’s Cause of Death Revealed

Two months after the first-ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK The Vivienne died, the drag performer’s cause of death has been confirmed.

In a statement shared with Attitude, the star’s manager Simon Jones revealed that James Lee Williams — The Vivienne’s off-stage name — died “from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest.” Williams spoke publicly about their struggle with addiction during their run on both Drag Race UK and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season seven. A further, formal inquest into Williams’ death will commence in June.

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Billboard has reached out to Jones for comment.

In a post to Instagram Stories, Jones explained that both he and Williams’ family decided to reveal the performer’s cause of death to the public as a means of spreading information around ketamine abuse. “James’s family and I feel it is important to say how James tragically died. We hope that by us releasing this information we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do to your body,” he wrote. “Ketamine usage is on the rise, particularly amongst young people, and I don’t think the full dangers of the drug are being discussed.”

Jones also revealed that he was working directly with Adferiad — a U.K.-based charity focused on support for those struggling with their mental health and addiction — in order to help further spread awareness around ketamine abuse. “We hope that by working with [Adferiad] we can raise vital awareness and give information on how to get help if you are struggling with ketamine usage.”

The news comes just a few weeks after World of Wonder, the production company behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, announced that they were producing a new documentary titled Dear Viv in the drag icon’s honor. “We want to celebrate The Vivienne’s extraordinary life and work so everyone can experience her incredible talent, sass and enormous heart,” Fenton Bailey, the company’s co-founder, wrote in a statement shared on the organization’s Instagram. “Although her stay here on Earth was far too brief it is with tremendous admiration and affection that we share her legacy in Dear Viv.”