Liam Payne 'had cocaine in his body at time of death', official says

22 October 2024, 06:51

Liam Payne
Liam Payne . Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Liam Payne had cocaine in his system when he died, according to an Argentinian official.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The former One Direction star died after falling off his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last Wednesday, prompting a widespread outpouring of grief from fans, as well as tributes from loved ones.

A preliminary toxicology report suggested that Payne, 31, had exposure to cocaine before he died, the official said.

The test has not revealed how much cocaine was in his system, the Associated Press reported.

The results of the full toxicology report are not expected to be made public for several weeks.

Read more: Liam Payne 'may have been unconscious' when he fell from balcony, police say, as fresh details emerge

Read more: Liam Payne's death treated as 'inconclusive' as investigators await test results

Liam Payne
Liam Payne. Picture: Alamy

Before Payne died, police were called out to the hotel to reports of a man acting aggressively, possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

They said that they found drugs in his hotel room, which was in a state of disarray when they entered.

Police said that he had possibly been unconscious or semi-conscious when he fell from the balcony.

He suffered very serious injuries from the fall from the Casa Sur hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina's capital.

The injuries included a fractured skull.

Post-mortem examination revealed the One Direction icon died of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage.”

Liam Payne
Liam Payne. Picture: Getty

Payne had admitted suffering with alcohol and mental health problems, but said in 2023 that he had been sober for six months.

After he died, former bandmates, friends and family paid heartfelt tribute.

The singer's family said they were "heartbroken" following his death, adding: "Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."

Liam Payne
Liam Payne. Picture: Getty

Cheryl, his former partner and mother to his son Bear, said: "Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son.

"A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."

Payne's fellow former One Direction stars Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson said that they miss him "terribly" after his death.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months.

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for inciting racial hatred after Southport attacks 'should be released', says ex-PM

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said at last year's Budget that the move would raise £25 billion per year by 2029

Prices ‘pushed higher’ and warnings of job losses as National Insurance rise comes into effect

Video footage shows the convoy had emergency lights flashing when it was hit

Israel admits ‘mistakenly’ killing 15 aid workers after video leak contradicted official version of events

Police found two men stabbed on on Erconwald Street in East Acton. One of them died at the scene

Murder probe as man knifed to death in double stabbing in London street

Dan Norris, pictured here next to Keir Starmer has also been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Labour MP arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences

The victim, centre, and his two killers

Moment London knife victim, 22, buys drinks for his killers before they stab him to death in street

An armed Met counter-terror firearms unit at Downing Street

UK police chiefs ‘plan national counter-terrorism force’

Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett after winning the Randox Grand Nationa

Nick Rockett wins 2025 Grand National at Aintree holding off last year's winner I Am Maximus

She was reportedly robbed outside an Italian restaurant in Cheshire

Wife of Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana ‘robbed of £62K handbag and Rolex’

Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US in the wake of 'Liberation Day' tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US in wake of tariffs as Trump insists he'll win 'economic revolution'

The fire happened at Goldenbeach Holiday Park, Roman Bank, Ingoldmells.

Two people killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

Easter eggs have been recalled over a potential risk of 'metal'

'Do not eat' warning as major chocolate brand recalls two Easter eggs amid fears they contain metal

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Lucy Connolly

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for racial hatred tweet after Southport attacks 'denied temporary release'

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

Body found in search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake in south-east London

Molly Russell took her own life in 2017.

Meta and Pinterest 'make secret donation to Molly Russell charity'