The death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has raised suspicions, with Argentine prosecutors suggesting possible involvement of drugs, though no evidence points to a third party. Payne, who rose to global fame as a teenager, died on Wednesday after falling from his third-floor hotel room at the Casa Sur Hotel in the upscale Palermo neighborhood.
His former bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson, expressed their devastation in a joint statement: “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.”
Buenos Aires police reported that Payne’s hotel room was found in disarray, with broken objects, furniture, clonazepam (a sedative), energy supplements, and over-the-counter medications scattered around. Alcohol and narcotics were also suspected to be in the room. Forensic teams retrieved a whiskey bottle, lighter, and cellphone from the courtyard where Payne’s body was discovered.
The autopsy revealed internal bleeding and 25 traumatic injuries to Payne’s skull, limbs, and abdomen, consistent with a fatal fall. Prosecutors noted that while there were no signs of a struggle or third-party involvement, the case remained “suspicious” due to the apparent presence of alcohol and drugs.
Investigators found no defensive injuries on Payne’s body, suggesting he may have been unconscious, possibly from substance abuse, at the time of the fall. Toxicology test results are still pending, and officials continue to piece together his final moments by interviewing hotel staff and two women who had visited Payne’s room earlier that day.
Fans of Payne, both local and international, gathered outside the hotel to pay tribute, singing One Direction songs and leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes at a makeshift memorial. The emotional outpouring reflected the global impact Payne had on his fans during his career.
