Argentinian authorities have confirmed the tragic details of One Direction star Liam Payne’s shocking death, revealing he “jumped from the balcony” of his hotel room in Argentina, falling to his death, reports suggest.
In an official statement released to The Associated Press, police authorities disclosed that the 31-year-old singer “had jumped from the balcony of his room”. The heartbreaking incident happened during Payne’s holiday in Buenos Aires alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, where the pair supported ex-bandmate Niall Horan at a concert, reports the Mirror.
A preliminary autopsy implied Payne died from “multiple traumas” leading to “internal and external bleeding” following the 40-foot plunge from the third floor of the hotel. Responding to an emergency call made just after 5pm local time, emergency services rushed to the scene having been alerted to an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” as stated in the report to AP.
Tributes have flooded in from across the globe and updates on the star’s sudden passing reveal the cause of death as his bereaved family speaks out. The investigation into Payne’s death continues with police on the lookout for a drug supplier following the discovery of narcotics in his hotel suite.
Moments before the catastrophic incident, staff at Hotel Casa Sur had desperately reached out to emergency services twice, the reception head underscored the urgency during one such plea. He said: “We have a guest who’s off his head on drugs and is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.”
After the call cut off, a member of staff who later said his name was Esteban rang again with an urgent plea, saying: “I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger. The room has a balcony and we are afraid he might do something. Just send an ambulance, only an ambulance.”
Despite the desperate pleas of hotel staff, officers didn’t make it to the scene quickly enough to prevent Liam’s tragic death. Post-mortem inquiries saw police comb through Liam’s hotel room, reportedly unearthing drug-related items now sent for analysis.
In what became a disturbing illustration, authorities found a wrecked TV, residue of white powder, an almost dry champagne flute, scattered fragments of burnt aluminium foil, and a charred soft drink can.
Probes into the former One Direction star’s untimely death continue, with forensic toxicology and anatomical pathology planned to dissect blood and urine samples for hints of drugs. They also plan to look into Liam’s medical past to shed light on his mental health.
Alberto Crescenti, chief of Buenos Aires emergency medical services, revealed that Liam suffered an immediate death as a result of sustaining multiple injuries including a skull fracture. He detailed: “Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life. Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death.”
Local authorities have confirmed that Liam launched himself from his balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel, as Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, spoke to PEOPLE.
Local police previously confirmed that an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Toxicological and anatomical-pathological studies of blood and urine are being undertaken to determine any traces of drugs.
Police also discovered a bottle of whisky, a lighter, and a white powder in the room, as well as medications including clonazepam – which is used to treat epilepsy, panic disorders or involuntary muscle spasms – and energy pills.
A notebook and Liam’s passport were seized and handed over to investigators, who also seized a phone that may have belonged to the former One Direction singer.
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