Following the shocking sudden death of Liam Payne last month, a toxicology report confirms that the One Direction singer had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his body in the moments before he fell from a three-story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
According to a statement issued by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, Payne’s body underwent complete toxicology reports on his urine, blood and vitreous humour. His family had already been informed of the findings before the findings were made public. Initial reports suggested that pink cocaine, a mixture of ketamine and other illicit drugs, was found in his system, though there is no mention of it in the statement.
Three people were detained in connection with his death, including a hotel worker, a drug dealer and a “friend” posing as Payne’s manager. Payne had allegedly spent time with the latter before his death on Oct. 16. The other two are being accused of supplying Payne with the narcotics found in his system after his fall.
Following his death, the prosecutor’s office declared that his cause of death was “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage.”
Though the circumstances of his death weren’t immediately clear, authorities stated that “a series of substances were seized from the musician’s room that would prove a previous situation of alcohol and drug consumption.”
The One Direction member was found in the courtyard of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where employees called 911 prior to the incident. In transcripts of the calls, a hotel staffer told emergency services that there was a “guest who is high on drugs and who is trashing the room, so we need someone to come.” A second employee called and said that Payne’s life may be in danger and that “he is in a room with a balcony and well, we’re a little afraid that he…”
Payne was open about his struggles with drinking and suicidal thoughts, and just last year stated that he had gone to a rehabilitation facility to get sober. “I have had a lot of time to recollect over those moments,” he said on Logan Paul’s podcast. At the time, he was nearly six months sober. “I kinda had to go away to kinda get better.”
As a member of One Direction, he was part of one of the highest-selling boy bands in history, selling 70 million records worldwide. After the quintet went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, he embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album “LP1” in 2019. Earlier this year, he put out a new single, “Teardrops,” with a second album on the way.
Following his death, tributes poured in for Payne, including those from his One Direction bandmates. “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they wrote in a joint statement. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”