Preliminary toxicology analysis shows traces of cocaine in the system of One Direction’s Liam Payne, an official from Argentina confirmed to the Associated Press. The singer, aged 31, lost his life after plummeting from a third-story balcony at a Buenos Aires hotel. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
The final toxicology report isn’t expected for a few weeks, but the initial findings indicate an exposure to cocaine, as per an official. However, the early reports can’t accurately define the concentration of the drug in his bloodstream at the time of his demise.
The cause of Payne’s death was due to multiple traumas and both internal and external haemorrhaging, according to the autopsy report. The Argentinian Criminal and Correctional Prosecution Office No 16 is treating the case as an “unresolved death”.
Five witnesses were interrogated in an attempt to piece together the happenings at the CasaSur Hotel located in Buenos Aires’ Palermo district. Two calls were made to emergency services from the hotel, with a recording exposing a staff member requesting help for a guest “under the influence of drugs and alcohol”.
Officers from the local police and emergency services discovered Payne dead at the scene. His body was moved to a judicial autopsy facility. Prosecutors stated that Payne was alone during the tragic accident, and that he seemed to be experiencing a breakdown triggered by substance abuse.
According to forensic experts, there were no injury signs suggestive of third-party involvement. However, the probe remains open to explore any potential involvement of third parties before his death. Earlier, Buenos Aires police reported that the singer’s hotel room was found to be significantly messier with several broken items.
The deceased’s father has travelled to Argentina to manage the return of his son’s remains.
Fellow bandmates – Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles – have all offered their heartfelt tributes to Payne. A collective statement from One Direction states their utter shock at this loss, and their precious memories with the singer will be cherished forever. Memorials were held worldwide by thousands of Payne’s fans over the weekend to remember him.