Buenos Aires, Argentina – Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, was found to have several drugs in his body at the time of his fatal accident last week, based on toxicology test results. Among the substances identified were “pink cocaine,” cocaine, benzodiazepines, and crack. These details have emerged from sources close to the ongoing investigation.
At the time of his death, Payne was only 31 years old. He tragically fell from the balcony of his hotel room situated on the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 16, shortly after 5:00 p.m.
Initial reports from the local Public Prosecutor’s Office, after a partial autopsy, indicated Payne suffered multiple trauma and both internal and external hemorrhaging, which were cited as the causes of death. As the investigation continues, his body remains in Argentina, where forensic experts are working to provide further insights through a detailed autopsy.
On the evening Payne died, the city’s judicial morgue conducted the initial autopsy where forensic medical professionals gathered crucial findings. These results have been central to piecing together the last moments before his tragic fall.
Concerns about Payne’s behavior were raised by staff at the CasaSur Palermo hotel moments before the incident. According to recordings of emergency calls made by a receptionist, Payne was reported to be intoxicated and causing a disturbance in his room. The receptionist alerted law enforcement, stressing the urgency of the situation, stating that Payne’s life appeared to be in peril.
Liam Payne rose to global fame as part of the pop group One Direction. The band, formed by Simon Cowell during the seventh season of “The X-Factor UK” in 2010, included Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. Over their active years from 2011 to 2015, One Direction released five studio albums, all receiving platinum certification in the United States and achieving top rankings both in the U.S. and the UK, with substantial success globally.
The band’s record includes four No. 1 singles in Great Britain: “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Little Things,” “One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)”—directed by Payne himself—and “Drag Me Down.” They also had five other songs reaching No. 2 in the UK, securing their status as one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
The tragic end of Liam Payne has cast a shadow over his meteoric rise and success in the music industry, prompting a reflection on the pressures faced by celebrities and their personal battles. As thousands of fans mourn the loss of a beloved artist, discussions around the impact of fame on mental health and substance use are becoming increasingly pertinent. The ongoing investigation into Payne’s death underscores the complex interplay of fame, personal distress, and the often destructive escape routes that individuals may take.