Annie Walton Doyle
Following the tragic passing of Liam Payne at the age of 31, new details have surfaced, and three have been arrested in the case.
Payne became a global sensation after appearing on The X Factor and as a member of the boy band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.
An initial autopsy has since provided some insight into the circumstances surrounding his death, as fans and loved ones continue to grapple with the loss.
And now, there’s been a shocking update in the case.
Following his passing, Payne’s family expressed their grief through his spokesperson: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul.”
The family has also requested privacy.
In a joint statement, Payne’s former One Direction bandmates shared their devastation, expressing that they needed time to mourn the loss of their ‘brother.’
Reports from Buenos Aires suggest that Payne’s fatal fall occurred from a hotel balcony around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, first reported by TMZ.
Sources indicated that Payne was in Buenos Aires for a concert by his former bandmate, Niall Horan.
Approximately an hour before the incident, Payne posted on Snapchat about his plans for the day.
Close friend Jodie Richards, who had been Payne’s performing arts teacher in Wolverhampton, also shared that they exchanged messages just hours before his death.
Initially dismissing the news as a hoax, Richards tried to contact him upon hearing of his death but received no response, which heightened her concern.
Reflecting on the loss, Richards described it as a ‘wicked waste of a life’ and remembered Payne as a ‘cheeky chappy’ with a knack for making people laugh.
Alberto Crescenti, head of Argentina’s state emergency medical system, confirmed to Todo Noticias TV that Payne had fallen into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel.
Emergency services were alerted by hotel staff, who were concerned about Payne’s condition, with one saying, “We need you to send us someone urgently because…well, we don’t know if the guest’s life is at risk…He is in a room that has a balcony.”
Inside Payne’s room, police found it in a disheveled state with clonazepam, energy supplements, and other over-the-counter items scattered. A whiskey bottle, a lighter, and Payne’s phone were also found in the courtyard where he was discovered.
Crescenti further noted that Payne fell approximately 40 meters and sustained injuries that were ‘incompatible with life.’
Initial autopsy findings suggested Payne died from multiple traumas and internal bleeding, as reported by The Mirror.
Earlier in the day, police were called to the hotel regarding reports of an agitated individual believed to be under the influence of substances.
Despite emergency responders arriving quickly, Payne was pronounced dead shortly after the 911 call at 5:01 p.m. local time.
Argentinian authorities have now announced charges against three individuals in connection with the death, per the BBC.
According to Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, one of Payne’s companions is facing charges for ‘abandonment of a person followed by death,’ while a hotel employee and another individual have been charged with providing drugs.
The identities of those charged have not been disclosed.
Local authorities have been closely examining his final days, noting that substances and damaged items were found in his hotel room.
The prosecutor’s office revealed that toxicology tests showed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in Payne’s system.
A post-mortem examination determined that his death resulted from trauma due to the fall.
Medical findings further suggested that Payne may have been in a state of semi- or full unconsciousness during the fall, ruling out the possibility of a deliberate action on his part.
Authorities have since conducted nine raids in Buenos Aires and are continuing to investigate Payne’s broken laptop and other electronic devices seized from the scene.
The prosecutor’s office reported that they have reviewed over 800 hours of surveillance footage from the hotel and nearby areas, and they have gathered testimonies from hotel employees, family, friends, and medical staff.
Payne is survived by his seven-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, his parents, and two sisters.
Related Article: One Direction’s Liam Payne Shared Haunting Final Post Just Minutes Before His Death
Related Article: Police Issue Update About Liam Payne’s Death As More Devastating Details Emerge
