Buenos Aires, Argentina — New findings have surfaced in the investigation of the tragic death of Liam Payne, a 31-year-old man who died after falling from a third-story hotel room in the Palermo district on October 16. Law enforcement officials have been piecing together Payne’s final hours, examining hotel security footage and conducting interviews.
According to informed sources, the surveillance videos captured several instances of apparent drug transactions between a hotel employee and a dealer before Payne’s death. Investigators are probing whether these drugs were supplied to Payne. Noteworthy in the footage are two occasions where Payne appeared asleep in the hotel lobby, clutching a bottle of whiskey.
Further to the ongoing investigation, police have ruled out suicide, treating Payne’s death as suspicious but not intentional. A forensic examination revealed Payne had various substances in his bloodstream, including a dangerous mix known as “pink cocaine,” which typically consists of methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, and other drugs, in addition to cocaine, benzodiazepine, and crack cocaine. An impromptu drug ingestion device made from aluminum was also found in his hotel room, underscoring the distressing circumstances leading to his death.
Moreover, authorities have identified two female escorts who were at the hotel shortly before the incident occurred. Reportedly, Payne had promised $5,000 to these individuals who were summoned via a mobile application, but ultimately did not settle the payment. In a further twist, a Rolex watch was reportedly missing from Payne’s hotel room after the incident.
In the midst of grappling with these developments, Payne’s family has been undergoing preparations to repatriate his remains. His father, Geoff Payne, has been present in Buenos Aires since October 18, working closely with British Embassy officials to navigate the procedural and legal complexities.
The grim aftermath was initially revealed when emergency services were dispatched for a man acting erratically, potentially under the influence of substances. The director of Buenos Aires Emergency Medical Services, Alberto Crescenti, confirmed that Payne was discovered in the internal courtyard of the hotel and declared dead at the scene.
The preliminary autopsy report indicated that Payne suffered from “multiple traumas” along with “internal and external bleeding.” A total of 25 injuries were identified on his body, including head traumas critical enough to be fatal, with the death officially linked to the significant height from which he fell.
As the community and Payne’s family mourn, questions linger regarding the circumstances that led to such a devastating outcome. The case continues to attract attention, drawing scrutiny over hotel security practices and the responsibilities of those who might have interacted with Payne in his final hours. As investigators work to stitch together the events that culminated in Payne’s untimely demise, many hope for answers that could prevent future tragedies of a similar nature.