Pop star Liam Payne’s death was caused by severe head injuries and internal and external bleeding following a fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to an autopsy report from the Argentinian prosecutor’s office. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday at 5 p.m. local time.
The report confirmed that the former One Direction member suffered multiple traumas, with head injuries significant enough to cause death. Investigations revealed that Payne, 31, was alone at the time of the fall, and substances indicating alcohol and drug use were seized from his hotel room.
Witnesses reported hearing loud noises and disturbances in Payne’s hotel room at Casa Sur in the hours leading up to his death. Doug Jones, a guest at the hotel, described the situation: “There was so much banging, doors slamming, most of the day. Later I heard sirens and a very loud scream.”
Authorities interviewed five witnesses to reconstruct the final moments before Payne’s fatal fall. The hotel staff contacted emergency services to report a man behaving aggressively, possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol, shortly before the fall.
Photos of Payne’s room, reportedly showing it in disarray, were leaked by hotel employees and have sparked ethical concerns over their publication in local media.
Payne’s family expressed their grief in a statement, saying, “Liam will forever live in our hearts… We are supporting each other as best as we can and ask for privacy at this awful time.” His former bandmates from One Direction also released a joint statement, calling Payne “their brother” and expressing their devastation.
Payne’s tragic death marks a heartbreaking end for a beloved artist whose career took off with One Direction in 2010.
