Liam Payne's Cause of Death Confirmed as Polytrauma
A UK inquest has confirmed that singer Liam Payne, former member of One Direction, died from multiple traumatic injuries, classified medically as "polytrauma." The 31-year-old fell from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16th. The Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court revealed the findings during a hearing held on December 17th.
The hearing clarified that determining the exact circumstances of Payne’s death may take considerable time due to ongoing investigations in Argentina. Senior Coroner Crispin Butler stated that procuring detailed information from Argentinian authorities will involve coordination with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. A pre-inquest review is scheduled for November 6th, 2025.
In Argentina, five individuals face charges in connection with Payne's death. Hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores have been charged with manslaughter. Additionally, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz are accused of supplying cocaine.
Reports from the Argentinian Public Prosecutor’s Office suggest that Payne was heavily under the influence of substances on the night of his death. Witnesses described him as "unable to stand" and being dragged to his room by hotel staff and his friend. Authorities believe Payne may have attempted to leave his room via the balcony, leading to the fatal fall.
A toxicology report revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and an antidepressant in Payne’s system. Medical evidence indicated he was likely in a state of partial or complete unconsciousness when he fell, ruling out the possibility of a deliberate act.
Payne's passing has left his family, friends, and fans devastated. His funeral was held on November 20th in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with attendees including his bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, as well as his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and ex-partner Cheryl, the mother of his son, Bear.
Payne rose to global fame as a member of One Direction after competing on The X Factor in the early 2010s. The band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, but Payne continued to maintain a prominent presence in the music industry.
As investigations continue, the circumstances surrounding the singer’s tragic death remain a subject of scrutiny. Both UK and Argentinian authorities are working to uncover more details about the events leading up to the incident.
