Late singer Liam Payne’s cause of death has been confirmed by a UK inquest, three months after the One Direction star tragically fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The 31-year-old artist was staying at the Casa Sur Hotel when the fatal incident occurred on October 16, following a drink-and-drug binge. Payne’s official cause of death was determined to be ‘polytrauma,’ a medical term describing multiple traumatic injuries to the body. The findings were presented during a December 17 hearing at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court, though officials noted it may take additional time to fully understand the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Five individuals have been charged in Argentina in connection with Payne’s death. Those accused include the hotel manager, Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend, Roger Nores, who face manslaughter charges. Prosecutors allege Nores abandoned Payne despite knowing he was incapable of taking care of himself due to his struggles with addiction. Two other individuals, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, have been charged with supplying cocaine.
The inquest revealed that Payne’s body was formally identified in the UK with the assistance of funeral directors in Buckinghamshire. A pre-inquest review is scheduled for November 6 to further investigate the events leading to his death.
Liam Payne rose to global fame as a member of One Direction, the boyband formed on Simon Cowell’s The X Factor. Alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, Payne became part of one of the most successful musical groups of the 2010s before the band’s hiatus in 2016.
The news of Payne’s tragic passing continues to shock fans worldwide, as tributes pour in to honor the legacy of a beloved artist and entertainer.