New, intriguing details have emerged concerning the tragic passing of Liam Payne on October 16. On November 7, a press statement issued by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office No. 14 unveiled that the toxicology reports for the late One Direction member have been finalized and shared with his grieving family. According to the Spanish-translated press release, within the 72 hours preceding his untimely demise in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 31, Payne's body contained traces of "alcohol, cocaine, and prescribed antidepressants."
"This conclusion stems from comprehensive toxicology tests conducted on urine, blood, and vitreous humor," the press statement emphasized. Prior to this, on October 21, ABC News sources confirmed that a partial autopsy revealed the presence of "multiple substances in his system" at the time of his death. Notably, ABC's reporting cited "pink cocaine," a recreational drug typically a mix of methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, and not necessarily cocaine, according to the National Capital Poison Center.
Sources further disclosed to ABC News that an "improvised aluminum pipe" used for drug ingestion was discovered in Payne's hotel room. Additionally, the same Thursday press release announced that three individuals in Argentina have been apprehended and charged in connection with Payne's fatal fall from a third-floor hotel balcony. While their names remain undisclosed, the suspects are accused of abandonment leading to death, as well as the supply and facilitation of narcotics.
Following Payne's fall and subsequent death, "illicit conduct was uncovered, leading to the charging of three individuals with related crimes," the release stated. One suspect is described as "the person who accompanied the artist daily during his stay in Buenos Aires." Another is a hotel employee alleged to have supplied Payne with cocaine, while the third is an accused "drug supplier." Prosecutors clarified in the release that "self-harm of any kind and/or physical intervention by third parties were eliminated" as contributing factors to his demise.
A forensic doctor concluded that Payne's death was caused by "multiple trauma" and "internal and external hemorrhage" resulting from the fall. Based on the gathered evidence, prosecutors also deduced that the singer of "Strip That Down" was "not fully conscious or experiencing a noticeable decrease or loss of consciousness at the time of the fall," painting a poignant picture of his final moments.
