Liam Payne Took Cocaine, Alcohol, Antidepressants Before Death

Photo : AFP

Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. Argentine authorities have since revealed the cause of his death and the substances found in his system at the time.

A toxicological report published Thursday confirmed that the 31-year-old singer had traces of cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant in his body at the time of the fall. According to prosecutors, the substances were present not only at the time of his death but had been in his system for at least 72 hours leading up to the incident, which suggests ongoing substance abuse during his stay at the CasaSur Hotel.

Payne's death, which resulted from multiple trauma and internal hemorrhaging after the fall, has been ruled as accidental, with prosecutors dismissing any signs of self-harm or third-party intervention. The singer was found in a state of extreme distress, with hotel staff calling emergency services after describing him as "overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol" and reportedly "destroying his room."

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The incident has prompted a significant investigation, with three individuals facing charges. One of the accused is said to have been with Payne during his entire stay in Buenos Aires and has been charged with abandoning him in a vulnerable state as well as supplying drugs. The other two suspects include a hotel employee who allegedly provided Payne with cocaine twice during his stay and a third individual who is accused of supplying drugs just days before the fatal incident.

While no foul play has been determined, authorities noted that Payne’s fall may have occurred while he was not fully conscious or in a state of severely diminished awareness due to his drug and alcohol intake.

A Personal Struggle
Payne’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief worldwide, particularly from his family, former bandmates, and fans who mourn the loss of a beloved star. Known for his time with One Direction, a group that rose to global fame in the early 2010s, Payne had openly discussed the pressures of fame and his past struggles with substance abuse. These personal challenges were well-documented, and his death has raised important questions about the music industry’s responsibility to care for the mental health of young stars.

Payne, who had previously spoken candidly about the difficulties he faced while dealing with fame at a young age, first auditioned for The X Factor at just 14 but failed to make it past the early rounds. Two years later, he successfully joined Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik to form One Direction. The group’s success led to worldwide fame, with over 70 million albums sold and several global tours, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Survival and Legacy
The late singer, who leaves behind a son, Bear, with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy, had been struggling with his solo career in recent years, which many speculated might have added to the weight of his personal issues. His death serves as a stark reminder of the pressures faced by celebrities, particularly those thrust into the limelight at a young age, and the importance of mental health care in the entertainment industry.

In a final act of closure, Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, repatriated his son’s body from Buenos Aires, and it was flown back to London. This tragic event underscores not just the risks of substance abuse, but also the need for increased awareness of mental health support for those in the entertainment world.