It is possible that Liam Payne was using substances in the period leading up to his death.
A source in the district attorney’s office familiar with the investigation, who requested confidentiality due to the sensitivity of his position, told PEOPLE that prosecutors believe the drugs were purchased for Payne by a hotel employee before the former One Direction member dropped several stories at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires. Argentina, and died at the age of 31 on October 16.
“There appears to be evidence that one of the hotel employees is the source of drugs for Payne,” the source says. “He may be indicted for drug distribution soon.”
Liam Payne in December 2022.
Mike Marsland/WireImage
In a public statement translated from Spanish, the prosecutor said he was keeping all avenues of investigation open, including the crime and, in particular, looking into who supplied Payne with drugs in the hours before his alleged death. Found in his hotel room. The investigation also aims to determine the possible involvement of third parties in Payne’s death.
Multiple other sources previously told PEOPLE that Payne was asked to leave another hotel, the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, after he appeared intoxicated and disturbed other guests. The hotel had no comment on this matter.
Pablo Polisicio, director of communications for the Ministry of Security in Buenos Aires, had previously told people that the musician had “jumped from the balcony” of his hotel room.
A preliminary autopsy report revealed that Payne died from multiple injuries and “internal and external” bleeding after the fall, the National Criminal and Correctional Attorney’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE.
Liam Payne in November 2017.
Kevin Mazur/Get
Coroners told PEOPLE that 25 injuries at the autopsy were “consistent with those caused by a fall from a height” and noted that “head injuries were sufficient to cause death,” while “internal and external bleeding” in the skull, chest, abdomen and extremities contributed to the death. Payne.
Authorities stated that “no defensive injuries were found” and no injuries indicated the involvement of any third party. The district attorney’s office handling the case also confirmed that a toxicology report is still pending.
After Payne’s death, Buenos Aires police found his hotel room “in complete disarray,” authorities told PEOPLE.
Liam Payne in October 2019.
Katja Ogren/Getty
Law enforcement investigated his room on October 17 and found prescription drug clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin), energy supplements and other over-the-counter medications scattered throughout the space, along with “various broken items.”
A bottle of whisky, a lighter and a mobile phone were later recovered from the inner courtyard of the hotel, where Payne’s body was discovered. Pictures obtained by the Daily Mail, allegedly of his hotel room, showed what appeared to be large drug paraphernalia and a smashed TV.
Authorities collected fingerprints, a notebook, his passport and other evidence for laboratory analysis. “The balcony area was searched to identify access points,” the police force told people.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
