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Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Death of Drag Race star The Vivienne was misadventure, rules coroner
James Lee Williams, 32, was found in the bath by a neighbour at their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on Sunday January 5. The last time anyone had contact with them was on the previous Friday evening, when their friend, Bobby Musker, told Warrington Coroner's Court it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine. The inquest into their death heard that five drug snap bags were found in the property, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom. Although the performer had struggled with drugs in the past, Williams' family told the hearing they should not be remembered for their use of ketamine and that drugs did not define the person they were. Friends and family had no worries about Williams' mental health, the hearing was told, and the performer was looking forward to future roles on TV and in the theatre, although did 'occasionally' take ketamine. The coffin of The Vivienne is carried into St Margaret's Church in Bodelwyddan (Danny Lawson/PA) Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluding the inquest, said: 'The medical cause of death is cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use. 'The conclusion, on the balance of probabilities, I'm satisfied that James Williams' death was a misadventure, he took ketamine but he did not intend to take his own life.' Williams, who was born in St Asaph, North Wales, was the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and years later admitted having been a drug addict. An officer of the coroner's court told media that Williams' family would like the media to use 'they/them' pronouns for their loved one. The coroner said Williams had probably died in the bath on the Friday evening after taking ketamine, two days before his body was discovered by a neighbour after concerns were raised about a lack of contact. She added: 'However the toxicology results indicate that the concentration found in the post-mortem, despite two days having lapsed, was still fairly high, which suggests he may have reached a fatal level on the Friday, I would describe that concentration as acute. 'He made a name for himself in the performing arts as a drag artiste, known as The Vivienne. 'He was very bold in the pursuit of all his dreams and used his platform to make a difference.' The Vivienne appeared on Dancing On Ice in 2023 (Jonathan Brady/PA) The inquest heard medical records showed Williams had struggled with drug use in the past, including with the use of ketamine, cocaine and alcohol but did stop taking drugs for a number of years and before his death he did not routinely take ketamine. At the time of his death, Williams was in the Christmas break from performing in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, finishing in Blackpool on December 30 before the show's tour began again in March. Earlier, Bobby Musker described himself as Williams' best friend, who he had known for 16 years, first working as drag queens in Liverpool. Mr Musker said he was aware his friend used ketamine, but he had gone 'years' not using the drug – but would occasionally take the substance. He said: 'I knew he was not sober. He didn't want to be taking it. He wasn't taking it constantly. 'He struggled with his sobriety but he really tried his hardest not to do it. It was not a constant thing.' Mr Musker said he was the last to see Williams in a video call around 8.30pm on the Friday evening before his body was found on the following Sunday. He added: 'I could tell when he was on it. He mentioned he had been to Liverpool in an Uber. I knew that he had been to get ketamine.' Mr Musker said he understood his friend planned to get a takeaway meal and have a bath. But he alerted Williams' neighbour, Janine Godbold, to go round to his house around lunchtime on Sunday, after concern over a lack of contact. Ms Godbold, told the court she became good friends with Williams after the entertainer moved to the village where she lived and they became near neighbours. She had keys to Williams' home, Swallow Barn, and went with her son Ryan, letting herself in. Ms Godbold broke down in tears as she told the court she found Williams in the bath. 'He just looked like he was sleeping, I ran over to him and put my hand under his head,' she said. 'I kept hold of him, I kept talking to him.' Paramedic Daniel Davies told the hearing he was called to the house but it was quickly apparent there was no pulse and no medical intervention could help. Det Sgt Thomas Philpotts, from Cheshire Police, said he was called to the scene due to the 'unusual' circumstances. When officers searched the house, Mr Philpotts said, 'several' snap bags which he believed had contained drugs were found in the bathroom bin and in a draw. The officer said he concluded there was nothing suspicious and no suggestion of a third-party involvement, and it was likely Williams had died after a medical episode in the bath, possibly brought on by drug use. A report from toxicologist Dr Kerry Taylor said tests showed a relatively high level of ketamine, but not at a level normally causing death. However, the drug can cause drowsiness, seizures and heart stimulation and the concentration may have dissipated over time. Dr David Butterworth, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, said there was no evidence of drowning. His report said the use of ketamine could have contributed to toxicity and death, and the amounts found in Williams' body could have been higher when he was alive than the levels found after death due to the passage of time. Dr Butterworth concluded: 'This man has died form the effects of cardio respiratory arrest due to the use of ketamine.' His father, Lee Williams, told the hearing: 'He was just an outgoing character who was full of life, he just wanted to make people laugh. '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.'
Rhyl Journal
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Inquest: Drag star The Vivienne's tragic death was misadventure
POPULAR drag queen performer The Vivienne's death was from misadventure after suffering cardio respiratory arrest after taking ketamine, a coroner has ruled. James Lee Williams, 32, was found in the bath by a neighbour at their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on Sunday January 5. The last time anyone had contact with them was on the previous Friday evening, when their friend, Bobby Musker, told Warrington Coroner's Court it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine. The inquest into their death heard that five drug snap bags were found in the property, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom. Remembered Although the performer had struggled with drugs in the past, Williams' family told the hearing they should not be remembered for their use of ketamine and that drugs did not define the person they were. Friends and family had no worries about Williams' mental health, the hearing was told, and the performer was looking forward to future roles on TV and in the theatre, although did 'occasionally' take ketamine. Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluding the inquest, said: 'The medical cause of death is cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use. 'The conclusion, on the balance of probabilities, I'm satisfied that James Williams' death was a misadventure, he took ketamine but he did not intend to take his own life.' Williams, who was born in St Asaph and brought up in Colwyn Bay, was the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and years later admitted having been a drug addict. The coroner said Williams had probably died in the bath on the Friday evening after taking ketamine, two days before his body was discovered by a neighbour after concerns were raised about a lack of contact. She added: 'However the toxicology results indicate that the concentration found in the post-mortem, despite two days having lapsed, was still fairly high, which suggests he may have reached a fatal level on the Friday, I would describe that concentration as acute. 'He made a name for himself in the performing arts as a drag artiste, known as The Vivienne. 'He was very bold in the pursuit of all his dreams and used his platform to make a difference.' The inquest heard medical records showed Williams had struggled with drug use in the past, including with the use of ketamine, cocaine and alcohol but did stop taking drugs for a number of years and before their death he did not routinely take ketamine. At the time of his death, Williams was in the Christmas break from performing in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, finishing in Blackpool on December 30 before the show's tour began again in March. Earlier, Bobby Musker described himself as Williams' best friend, who he had known for 16 years, first working as drag queens in Liverpool. Mr Musker said he was aware his friend used ketamine, but they had gone 'years' not using the drug – but would occasionally take the substance. Struggled He said: 'I knew he was not sober. He didn't want to be taking it. He wasn't taking it constantly. 'He struggled with his sobriety but he really tried his hardest not to do it. It was not a constant thing.' Mr Musker said he was the last to see Williams in a video call around 8.30pm on the Friday evening before his body was found on the following Sunday. He added: 'I could tell when he was on it. He mentioned he had been to Liverpool in an Uber. I knew that he had been to get ketamine.' Mr Musker said he understood his friend planned to get a takeaway meal and have a bath. But he alerted Williams' neighbour, Janine Godbold, to go round to the house around lunchtime on Sunday, after concern over a lack of contact. Ms Godbold, told the court she became good friends with Williams after the entertainer moved to the village where she lived and they became near neighbours. She had keys to Williams' home, Swallow Barn, and went with her son Ryan, letting herself in. Ms Godbold broke down in tears as she told the court she found Williams in the bath. 'He just looked like he was sleeping, I ran over to him and put my hand under his head,' she said. 'I kept hold of him, I kept talking to him.' Paramedic Daniel Davies told the hearing he was called to the house but it was quickly apparent there was no pulse and no medical intervention could help. Det Sgt Thomas Philpotts, from Cheshire Police, said he was called to the scene due to the 'unusual' circumstances. When officers searched the house, Mr Philpotts said, 'several' snap bags which he believed had contained drugs were found in the bathroom bin and in a draw. The officer said he concluded there was nothing suspicious and no suggestion of a third-party involvement, and it was likely Williams had died after a medical episode in the bath, possibly brought on by drug use. A report from toxicologist Dr Kerry Taylor said tests showed a relatively high level of ketamine, but not at a level normally causing death. However, the drug can cause drowsiness, seizures and heart stimulation and the concentration may have dissipated over time. Dr David Butterworth, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, said there was no evidence of drowning. His report said the use of ketamine could have contributed to toxicity and death, and the amounts found in Williams' body could have been higher when he was alive than the levels found after death due to the passage of time. Conclusion Dr Butterworth concluded: 'This man has died form the effects of cardio respiratory arrest due to the use of ketamine.' His father, Lee Williams, told the hearing: 'He was just an outgoing character who was full of life, he just wanted to make people laugh. '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.'
RTÉ News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
The Vivienne's death ruled as misadventure
A coroner has ruled that drag queen performer The Vivienne's death was from misadventure after suffering cardio respiratory arrest after taking ketamine. James Lee Williams, 32, was found in the bath by a neighbour at their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on Sunday January 5. The last time anyone had contact with them was on the previous Friday evening, when their friend, Bobby Musker, told Warrington Coroner's Court it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine. The inquest into their death heard that five drug snap bags were found in the property, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom. Although the performer had struggled with drugs in the past, Williams' family told the hearing they should not be remembered for their use of ketamine and that drugs did not define the person they were. Friends and family had no worries about Williams' mental health, the hearing was told, and the performer was looking forward to future roles on TV and in the theatre, although did "occasionally" take ketamine. Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluding the inquest, said: "The medical cause of death is cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use. "The conclusion, on the balance of probabilities, I'm satisfied that James Williams' death was a misadventure, he took ketamine but he did not intend to take his own life." Williams, who was born in St Asaph, North Wales, was the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and years later admitted having been a drug addict. An officer of the coroner's court told media that Williams' family would like the media to use "they/them" pronouns for their loved one. The coroner said Williams had probably died in the bath on the Friday evening after taking ketamine, two days before his body was discovered by a neighbour after concerns were raised about a lack of contact. She added: "However the toxicology results indicate that the concentration found in the post-mortem, despite two days having lapsed, was still fairly high, which suggests he may have reached a fatal level on the Friday, I would describe that concentration as acute. "He made a name for himself in the performing arts as a drag artiste, known as The Vivienne. "He was very bold in the pursuit of all his dreams and used his platform to make a difference." The inquest heard medical records showed Williams had struggled with drug use in the past, including with the use of ketamine, cocaine and alcohol but did stop taking drugs for a number of years and before his death he did not routinely take ketamine. At the time of his death, Williams was in the Christmas break from performing in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, finishing in Blackpool on December 30 before the show's tour began again in March. Earlier, Bobby Musker described himself as Williams' best friend, who he had known for 16 years, first working as drag queens in Liverpool. Mr Musker said he was aware his friend used ketamine, but had gone "years" not using the drug – but would occasionally take the substance. He said: "I knew he was not sober. He didn't want to be taking it. He wasn't taking it constantly. "He struggled with his sobriety but he really tried his hardest not to do it. It was not a constant thing." Mr Musker said he was the last to see Williams in a video call around 8.30pm on the Friday evening before Williams' body was found on the following Sunday. He added: "I could tell when he was on it. He mentioned he had been to Liverpool in an Uber. I knew that he had been to get ketamine." Mr Musker said he understood his friend planned to get a takeaway meal and have a bath. But he alerted Williams' neighbour, Janine Godbold, to go round to the house around lunchtime on Sunday, after concern over a lack of contact. Ms Godbold, told the court she became good friends with Williams after the entertainer moved to the village where she lived and they became near neighbours. She had keys to Williams' home, Swallow Barn, and went with her son Ryan, letting herself in. Ms Godbold broke down in tears as she told the court she found Williams in the bath. "He just looked like he was sleeping, I ran over to him and put my hand under his head," she said. "I kept hold of him, I kept talking to him." Paramedic Daniel Davies told the hearing he was called to the house but it was quickly apparent there was no pulse and no medical intervention could help. Det Sgt Thomas Philpotts, from Cheshire Police, said he was called to the scene due to the "unusual" circumstances. When officers searched the house, Mr Philpotts said, "several" snap bags which he believed had contained drugs were found in the bathroom bin and in a draw. The officer said he concluded there was nothing suspicious and no suggestion of a third-party involvement, and it was likely Williams had died after a medical episode in the bath, possibly brought on by drug use. A report from toxicologist Dr Kerry Taylor said tests showed a relatively high level of ketamine, but not at a level normally causing death. However, the drug can cause drowsiness, seizures and heart stimulation and the concentration may have dissipated over time. Dr David Butterworth, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, said there was no evidence of drowning. His report said the use of ketamine could have contributed to toxicity and death, and the amounts found in Williams' body could have been higher when alive, compared to the levels found after death due to the passage of time. Dr Butterworth concluded: "This man has died form the effects of cardio respiratory arrest due to the use of ketamine." Williams' father, Lee Williams, told the hearing: "He was just an outgoing character who was full of life, he just wanted to make people laugh. "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."
North Wales Live
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Body of Drag Race star The Vivienne found by neighbour days after death
Popular drag queen performer The Vivienne's death was from misadventure after suffering cardio respiratory arrest after taking ketamine, a coroner has ruled. North Wales star James Lee Williams, 32, was found in the bath by a neighbour at their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on Sunday January 5. The last time anyone had contact with them was on the previous Friday evening, when their friend, Bobby Musker, told Warrington Coroner's Court it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine. The inquest into their death heard that five drug snap bags were found in the property, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom. Although the performer had struggled with drugs in the past, Williams' family told the hearing they should not be remembered for their use of ketamine and that drugs did not define the person they were. Friends and family had no worries about Williams' mental health, the hearing was told, and the performer was looking forward to future roles on TV and in the theatre, although did "occasionally" take ketamine. Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluding the inquest, said: "The medical cause of death is cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use. "The conclusion, on the balance of probabilities, I'm satisfied that James Williams' death was a misadventure, he took ketamine but he did not intend to take his own life." Williams, who was born in St Asaph and grew up in Colwyn Bay, was the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and years later admitted having been a drug addict. An officer of the coroner's court told media that Williams' family would like the media to use "they/them" pronouns for their loved one. The coroner said Williams had probably died in the bath on the Friday evening after taking ketamine, two days before their body was discovered by a neighbour after concerns were raised about a lack of contact. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox She added: "However the toxicology results indicate that the concentration found in the post-mortem, despite two days having lapsed, was still fairly high, which suggests he may have reached a fatal level on the Friday, I would describe that concentration as acute. "He made a name for himself in the performing arts as a drag artiste, known as The Vivienne. "He was very bold in the pursuit of all his dreams and used his platform to make a difference." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone The inquest heard medical records showed Williams had struggled with drug use in the past, including with the use of ketamine, cocaine and alcohol but did stop taking drugs for a number of years and before their death did not routinely take ketamine. At the time of their death, Williams was in the Christmas break from performing in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, finishing in Blackpool on December 30 before the show's tour began again in March. Earlier, Bobby Musker described himself as Williams' best friend, who he had known for 16 years, first working as drag queens in Liverpool. Mr Musker said he was aware his friend used ketamine, but Williams had gone "years" not using the drug – but would occasionally take the substance. He said: "I knew he was not sober. He didn't want to be taking it. He wasn't taking it constantly. "He struggled with his sobriety but he really tried his hardest not to do it. It was not a constant thing." Mr Musker said he was the last to see Williams in a video call around 8.30pm on the Friday evening before their body was found on the following Sunday. He added: "I could tell when he was on it. He mentioned he had been to Liverpool in an Uber. I knew that he had been to get ketamine." Mr Musker said he understood his friend planned to get a takeaway meal and have a bath. But he alerted Williams' neighbour, Janine Godbold, to go round to his house around lunchtime on Sunday, after concern over a lack of contact. Ms Godbold, told the court she became good friends with Williams after the entertainer moved to the village where she lived and they became near neighbours. She had keys to Williams' home, Swallow Barn, and went with her son Ryan, letting herself in. Ms Godbold broke down in tears as she told the court she found Williams in the bath. "He just looked like he was sleeping, I ran over to him and put my hand under his head," she said. "I kept hold of him, I kept talking to him." Paramedic Daniel Davies told the hearing he was called to the house but it was quickly apparent there was no pulse and no medical intervention could help. Det Sgt Thomas Philpotts, from Cheshire Police, said he was called to the scene due to the "unusual" circumstances. When officers searched the house, Mr Philpotts said, "several" snap bags which he believed had contained drugs were found in the bathroom bin and in a draw. The officer said he concluded there was nothing suspicious and no suggestion of a third-party involvement, and it was likely Williams had died after a medical episode in the bath, possibly brought on by drug use. A report from toxicologist Dr Kerry Taylor said tests showed a relatively high level of ketamine, but not at a level normally causing death. However, the drug can cause drowsiness, seizures and heart stimulation and the concentration may have dissipated over time. Dr David Butterworth, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, said there was no evidence of drowning. His report said the use of ketamine could have contributed to toxicity and death, and the amounts found in Williams' body could have been higher when they were alive than the levels found after death due to the passage of time. Dr Butterworth concluded: "This man has died form the effects of cardio respiratory arrest due to the use of ketamine." Williams' father, Lee Williams, told the hearing: "He was just an outgoing character who was full of life, he just wanted to make people laugh. "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." Why journalists cover inquests and why it's crucial that we do Reporting on an inquest can be one of the hardest types of stories a journalist can write. More often than not, they are emotionally charged proceedings attended by grief-stricken people who are desperate for answers. Sometimes, inquests can seem quite clinical due to a coroner's need to remain impartial and level-headed so that they can draw a conclusion from desperately sad events. As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one, the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others' lives. Families are often surprised - and sometimes angry - when they see a reporter in attendance. Understandably they worry the nature of their loved one's death will be sensationalised and that a news story will forever tarnish their memory. Responsible and ethically minded journalists will do what they can to report inquests sensitively, while not shying away from the often upsetting facts. It is vital that the public don't forget that inquests are a type of judicial inquiry; they are after all held in a coroner's court. The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of 'open justice'. But in doing so journalists must follow the guidance provided by the Independent Press Standards Organisation and set out in Editors' Code of Conduct. It's a journalist's duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person's death. But most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening. Inquests are not criminal courts - there is no prosecution or defence - they are fact-finding tribunals which seek to answer four key questions: Who is the person who died? Where did they die? When did they die? How did they die? They do not apportion blame. Once these questions are answered a coroner will be able to record a conclusion. The wider lessons that can be learned from an inquest can have far-reaching consequences - but if journalists do not attend them how can the public be made aware? The harsh reality is they can't. Coroners often do not publish the results of an inquest. Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system - and numerous others who need to answer vital questions - is not held to account. Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide. Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest. Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one. Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. However, as has been seen by many brilliant campaigns run by newspapers and websites up and down the country, the input of a person's family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered, debates unargued and lives lost.
ITV News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Drag Race star The Vivienne 'should not be remembered for drug use', family tell inquest
Friends and family of popular drag queen performer The Vivienne say they do not want the RuPaul's Drag Race star to be remembered for their drug use and it "did not define the person they were". James Lee Williams, 32, suffered a cardiac arrest after taking Ketamine at their home in Cheshire in January. The star was found in the bath by a neighbour on Sunday 5 January, with the last contact with them on the previous Friday evening, when their friend, Bobby Musker, told Warrington Coroner's Court it was evident the entertainer had taken ketamine. The inquest into their death heard that five drug snap bags were found in the property, including in a bedroom draw and a bin in the bathroom. Although the performer had struggled with drugs in the past, Williams' family told the hearing they should not be remembered for their use of ketamine and that drugs did not define the person they were. Friends and family had no worries about Williams' mental health, the hearing was told, and the performer was looking forward to future roles on TV and in the theatre, although did 'occasionally' take ketamine. Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluding the inquest, said: 'The medical cause of death is cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use. 'The conclusion, on the balance of probabilities, I'm satisfied that James Williams' death was a misadventure, he took ketamine but he did not intend to take his own life.' Williams was the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and years later admitted having been a drug addict. An officer of the coroner's court told media that Williams' family would like the media to use 'they/them' pronouns for their loved one. The coroner said Williams had probably died in the bath on the Friday evening after taking ketamine, two days before his body was discovered by a neighbour after concerns were raised about a lack of contact. She added: 'However the toxicology results indicate that the concentration found in the post-mortem, despite two days having lapsed, was still fairly high, which suggests he may have reached a fatal level on the Friday, I would describe that concentration as acute. 'He made a name for himself in the performing arts as a drag artiste, known as The Vivienne. 'He was very bold in the pursuit of all his dreams and used his platform to make a difference.' The inquest heard medical records showed Williams had struggled with drug use in the past, including with the use of ketamine, cocaine and alcohol but did stop taking drugs for a number of years and before his death he did not routinely take ketamine. At the time of his death, Williams was in the Christmas break from performing in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, finishing in Blackpool on 30 December before the show's tour began again in March. Earlier, Bobby Musker described himself as Williams' best friend, who he had known for 16 years, first working as drag queens in Liverpool. Mr Musker said he was aware his friend used ketamine, but he had gone 'years' not using the drug – but would occasionally take the substance. He said: 'I knew he was not sober. He didn't want to be taking it. He wasn't taking it constantly. 'He struggled with his sobriety but he really tried his hardest not to do it. It was not a constant thing.' Mr Musker said he was the last to see Williams in a video call around 8.30pm on the Friday evening before his body was found on the following Sunday. He added: 'I could tell when he was on it. He mentioned he had been to Liverpool in an Uber. I knew that he had been to get ketamine.' Mr Musker said he understood his friend planned to get a takeaway meal and have a bath. But he alerted Williams' neighbour, Janine Godbold, to go round to his house around lunchtime on Sunday, after concern over a lack of contact. Ms Godbold, told the court she became good friends with Williams after the entertainer moved to the village where she lived and they became near neighbours. She had keys to Williams' home, Swallow Barn, and went with her son Ryan, letting herself in. Ms Godbold broke down in tears as she told the court she found Williams in the bath. 'He just looked like he was sleeping, I ran over to him and put my hand under his head,' she said. 'I kept hold of him, I kept talking to him.' Paramedic Daniel Davies told the hearing he was called to the house but it was quickly apparent there was no pulse and no medical intervention could help. Det Sgt Thomas Philpotts, from Cheshire Police, said he was called to the scene due to the 'unusual' circumstances. When officers searched the house, Mr Philpotts said, 'several' snap bags which he believed had contained drugs were found in the bathroom bin and in a draw. The officer said he concluded there was nothing suspicious and no suggestion of a third-party involvement, and it was likely Williams had died after a medical episode in the bath, possibly brought on by drug use. A report from toxicologist Dr Kerry Taylor said tests showed a relatively high level of ketamine, but not at a level normally causing death. However, the drug can cause drowsiness, seizures and heart stimulation and the concentration may have dissipated over time. Dr David Butterworth, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, said there was no evidence of drowning. His report said the use of ketamine could have contributed to toxicity and death, and the amounts found in Williams' body could have been higher when he was alive than the levels found after death due to the passage of time. Dr Butterworth concluded: 'This man has died form the effects of cardio respiratory arrest due to the use of ketamine.' His father, Lee Williams, told the hearing: 'He was just an outgoing character who was full of life, he just wanted to make people laugh. '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.'
