One Direction pop star Liam Payne was “going through some kind of episode due to substance abuse” at the time of his death, according to local authorities.
Payne, 31, who shot to global fame with the boy band, was found dead after he fell from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, triggering an outpouring of fan tributes.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: New details have been revealed in the death of Liam Payne as the world reacts.
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In the first official details of the autopsy, the prosecutor’s office said coroners had found 25 injuries compatible with those caused by a fall from a height, including fatal head injuries, with internal and external bleeding.
It added that there were no signs of a third party being involved, though the incident was being investigated as a “suspicious death” out of protocol.
“Everything indicates that the musician was alone when the fall occurred, and was going through some kind of episode due to substance abuse,” the prosecutor’s office said.“City police who surveyed the scene found substances inside the room that at first glance — and pending confirmation from the experts — would be narcotics and alcoholic beverages, as well as several destroyed objects and furniture,” it added.
Police earlier said in a statement they had found the room in “total disorder” in a search after his death, with various things smashed and medications scattered around.
While 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.
The city police said in the atrium of the hotel where Payne had fallen they had found a bottle of whiskey, a lighter and a mobile phone.
They said they had collected fingerprints from those.
In the room of the luxury hotel in the city’s trendy Palermo district, police said they found over-the-counter medications, energy packs and the anxiety drug Clonazepam.“Upon entering, total disorder was observed, with various elements broken,” the police said in a statement, adding they had taken more fingerprints and other evidence to be analysed in labs, as well as a notebook and passport.
“The balcony area was inspected in order to establish access to it,” the police force added.
Before Payne’s fall, a hotel employee had called emergency services, asking for help with a guest who was trashing his room and appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, audio obtained from the Buenos Aires security ministry showed.
“We have a guest who is intoxicated by drugs and alcohol,” the hotel worker told police in the 911 call.
“And, well, he’s … When he’s conscious, he breaks, he’s breaking the whole room.
“And, well, we need you to send someone, please.
“We need you to send someone urgently because, well, I don’t know if the guest’s life is at risk.
“He is in a room with a balcony. And, well, we are a little afraid that he will do something that will put his life at risk.”
Band members pay tribute
One Direction found global success after Simon Cowell brought together Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson on Britain’s X Factor talent show in 2010.
They went on to sell 70 million records, with six top-10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100, including What Makes You Beautiful, Story of My Life and Live While We’re Young.
Payne’s co-writing credits included Story of My Life and Night Changes.
His former bandmates said they were “completely devastated by the news”.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” they said.
“For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
“We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. — Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
In an individual statement, Tomlinson said he had lost a brother.
“Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he began.
“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.
“I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” he said, addressing Payne directly.
“I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.
“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”
Malik and Styles have also since issued personal messages, sharing throwbacks to their time on tour.
“Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” Malik said.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what l’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” he went on.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.”
In his message, Styles said: “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.”
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
“He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving.
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life.”
Cheryl Tweedy, with whom Payne had a son, Bear, in 2017, has not commented.
– With Reuters