Liam Payne’s Autopsy and Toxicology Reports Finalized: Official Cause of Death Disclosed
The former One Direction member, Liam Payne, tragically passed away at the age of 31 on October 16, 2024. While an initial autopsy was conducted the day after his death, further insights into the singer's cause of death were provided in the complete autopsy report released on November 7, 2024.
What Led to Liam Payne's Death?
Liam's life ended when he fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he had checked in three days earlier, as confirmed by Lawyer Monthly. Witnesses reported that the “Strip That Down” artist had been behaving “erratically” in the hotel lobby earlier that day, even stating that he “smashed his laptop and had to be carried back to his room.” A 911 call was made at 5:04 p.m., but when authorities arrived, they found Liam unresponsive in the interior courtyard. Officials stated, “There was no possibility of resuscitating him,” noting that he sustained “extremely severe injuries that were incompatible with life due to the fall.” Local authorities also indicated that Liam “jumped from the balcony of his room,” according to the Associated Press. An audio recording of the 911 call, obtained by Telemundo, revealed a hotel staff member mentioning that an unidentified guest had “overindulged on drugs and alcohol,” adding, “When he is conscious, he breaks, he is breaking the whole room. Well, we need you to send someone, please.”
Liam arrived in Argentina with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, on September 30, 2024. They attended a concert by his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan on October 2, where footage captured the couple enjoying the music and engaging with fans. Kate departed Argentina on October 14, leaving Liam behind, as reported by Lawyer Monthly.
What Was the Official Cause of Liam Payne’s Death?
On November 7, 2024, the official toxicology report for Liam was made public, indicating that in the last 72 hours of his life, he had only small amounts of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant in his system, as stated by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 14. This conclusion was drawn after thorough analysis of his urine, blood, and vitreous humor. Maffia Bizzozero, the director of the Judicial Morgue, along with forensic doctor Roberto Victor Cohen, determined that Liam's death resulted from "multiple trauma" and "a hemorrhage, both internal and external," stemming from a fall. The report further clarified that all of Liam's injuries were consistent with those typically seen in falls from heights, ruling out any self-harm or involvement from others. It was noted that Liam did not exhibit a reflexive posture to protect himself during the fall, suggesting he may have been in a state of semi or total unconsciousness at the time, according to the autopsy findings. Officials emphasized that this scenario eliminates the possibility of any conscious or voluntary actions on Liam's part, as he was not aware of his surroundings or actions during that critical moment.
On October 17, 2024, before the complete autopsy results were made public, Alberto Crescenti, the head of Buenos Aires emergency services, confirmed that Liam suffered from “a fracture in the base of his skull [and] extremely serious injuries,” which resulted in his immediate death. That same day, a preliminary autopsy was conducted, with forensic pathologists Santiago Maffia Bizzozero and Victor Roberto Cohen determining that the father of one had experienced “internal and external hemorrhaging” due to his numerous injuries. Subsequent reports from a partial autopsy and toxicology analysis indicated that Liam had several drugs in his system at the time of his passing, as reported by sources to ABC News on October 21, 2024. This included “pink cocaine,” a recreational substance that typically combines methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA, along with cocaine, benzodiazepine, and crack. Additionally, an aluminum pipe was allegedly discovered in Liam’s hotel room.
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Liam Payne’s History with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Struggles
The “Teardrops” singer revealed in 2019 that during the peak of One Direction’s popularity, his life was dominated by “booze and pills,” and he faced “moments of suicidal ideation.” Liam shared with Men’s Health Australia that while he had a great time, there were moments that turned a bit toxic. In June 2023, he mentioned that he had been sober for six months after completing a 100-day rehab program. In a YouTube video, he expressed, “I feel like I have a better grip on life now, and things that used to slip away from me are more manageable. I realized I needed to take some time for myself because I had become someone I didn’t recognize, and I’m sure you noticed it too. I was in a tough spot before, and I’m really glad I decided to pause everything for a while.”
Liam Payne’s tragic passing sheds light on the profound impacts of mental health and substance abuse struggles. His life journey, marked by both fame and personal battles, resonates with the importance of mental health support and the need for awareness. His story serves as a reminder of the pressures faced by those in the spotlight and the significance of taking steps toward well-being.
