One Direction pop star Liam Payne died of multiple injuries and internal bleeding after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, prosecutors said Thursday, with a preliminary finding suggesting substance abuse followed the fall.
Payne, 31, who rose to global fame with the boy band, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans.
In the first official description of the autopsy, the prosecutor’s office said coroners had found 25 injuries consistent with injuries caused by a fall from height, including fatal head injuries accompanied by internal and external bleeding.
It said there were no signs of any third party involvement, although the incident was being investigated as a “suspicious death” outside protocol.
The prosecutor’s office said, “Everything indicates that the musician was alone at the time of the fall, and was going through some kind of event due to substance abuse.”
It says, “The city police who surveyed the scene found substances inside the room that at first glance – and awaiting confirmation from experts – would be narcotics and alcoholic beverages, as well as numerous destroyed objects and furniture. “
Police had earlier said in a statement that during a search after his death they found the room in “complete disarray”, with many things broken and medicines scattered here and there.
Although details surrounding his death remain unclear, Payne had spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health and using alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame.
Whiskey, medicine for anxiety
City police said they found a bottle of whiskey, a lighter and a cellphone in the courtyard of the hotel where Payne fell. He said that he had collected fingerprints from them.
Police said they found over-the-counter medications, energy packs and the anxiety drug Clonazepam in the luxury hotel room in the city’s trendy Palermo district.
“Upon entry, complete disarray was observed, with various elements broken,” police said in a statement, adding that they took more fingerprints and other evidence, as well as a notebook and a notebook, to be analyzed in laboratories. Have also taken the passport.
“The balcony area was inspected to establish access,” the police force said.
Audio obtained from the Buenos Aires Security Ministry shows that before Payne fell, a hotel employee had called emergency services asking for help for a guest who was soiling his room and under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Was in.
“We have a guest who is under the influence of drugs and alcohol. And, well, he… when he comes to his senses, goes on a rampage, he’s tearing the whole room apart. And, well Hey, we need you to send someone, please,” the hotel worker told police in the 911 call.
“We need you to send someone immediately because, well, I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger or not. He’s in the room with the balcony. And, well, we’re a little afraid he’ll do something that “We would be harmed, putting his life at risk.”
One Direction achieved global success in 2010 after Simon Cowell brought together Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson on the UK X Factor talent show.
They sold 70 million records with six top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “What Makes You Beautiful”, “Story of My Life” and “Live While We’re Young”. Payne’s co-writing credits include “Story of My Life” and “Night Changes”.
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