advertisement
Music News

Liam Payne’s Cause of Death Revealed in Preliminary Autopsy Report

The pop star died Oct. 16 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires.

Liam Payne performs onstage during 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2017 presented by Capital One at The Forum on December 1, 2017 in Inglewood, Calif.

Liam Payne performs onstage during 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2017 presented by Capital One at The Forum on December 1, 2017 in Inglewood, Calif.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Liam Payne‘s preliminary autopsy report has been shared by the prosecutor’s office in Argentina, revealing the 31-year-old singer died from internal and external traumas upon falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires Wednesday (Oct. 16).

According to the Spanish-language press release from the country’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office that was released the next day, the initial report concludes that the former One Direction star appeared to be alone and under the influence of substances when he fell at 5:07 p.m. Wednesday. The findings align with a frantic 911 call placed by staff shortly before Payne’s death at the hotel, which reported that a guest was “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol” and “destroying [their] entire room.” By the time police arrived, Payne had already fallen and died at the scene due to his injuries.


advertisement

The autopsy also notes that Payne’s body was taken to the Judicial Morgue Wednesday night and studied by forensic doctors from 9:45 p.m. to 11:05 p.m. They concluded that 25 injuries — including to the skull, abdomen and limbs — identified on the musician were compatible with those caused by the fall. They also noted that there were no signs of defensive wounds on his hands, and considering the position of his body, he may have been partially or fully unconscious at the time of his fall. They also found no signs of third-party intervention.

The report notes that the investigators are still looking into the circumstances surrounding the star’s death, and whether a third party was involved. The night of Payne’s passing, the report reveals, investigators spoke with five people — three hotel employees as well as two women who were with the singer in the hours before his death, but left before his fall. Investigators also found substances in the room that at first glance appear to be narcotics and alcoholic drinks.

advertisement

The experts are still waiting on further toxicology tests to determine the extent with which drugs and alcohol may have played a role in Payne’s death.

News of the X Factor alum’s death rocked the music world Wednesday night, with fans and peers alike taking to social media to express their shock and grief. His family shared a statement with the BBC Thursday morning (Oct. 17), writing, “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Payne is survived by a 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with ex-partner Cheryl Cole. After earning countless hits with One Direction from 2010 to 2016, the musician embarked on a successful solo career.

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.

advertisement
Kneecap Blasts Norwegian Government at Oslo Festival, Accusing It of Funding ‘Genocide’ Against Palestinians
Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Mo Chara, DJ Provaí and Móglaí Bap of Kneecap performs on the West Holts Stage during during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 28, 2025 in Glastonbury, England.

Music News

Kneecap Blasts Norwegian Government at Oslo Festival, Accusing It of Funding ‘Genocide’ Against Palestinians

The Irish rap trio went after the Norwegian government over its investments, which are currently under scrutiny, at Øyafestivalen.

Irish rap group Kneecap – which has drawn a storm of criticism, support, attention and legal action over the past half-year – continued to speak out about the war in Gaza during an afternoon set at the Øyafestivalen in Oslo, Norway, on Friday (Aug. 8).

Right before the trio of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí took the stage, an English-language white-text-on-black-background message played on a video screen, accusing the Norwegian government of “enabling” the “genocide” against the Palestinian people via investments held in the county’s sovereign wealth fund (referenced as “oil pension fund” in the message). “Over 80,000 people have been murdered by Israel in 21 months,” the band’s message continued. “Free Palestine.” The message was greeted readily by a cheering audience. Most estimates (including those from health officials in the area) place the Palestinian death toll at more than 60,000. That number does not distinguish between civilians and Hamas militants. An estimated 18,500 of those killed were children.

keep readingShow less
advertisement