An update into the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne has been provided by a judge who confirmed the boyband member fell while in a drugged state when attempting to escape his hotel.
The X Factor contestant fell to his death on October 16 after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, in Argentina. Three people have been charged with manslaughter including chief receptionist Esteban Grassi, head of security Gilda Martin and Liam’s friend Rogelio Nores.
Two further people, waiter Braian Paiz and hotel employee Ezequiel David Pereya, have been accused of selling drugs to Liam. The cause of his death was revealed as multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding, following a post mortem examination. The singer was found to be likely in a state of “semi or total unconsciousness” at the time of his fall, and a conclusion of suicide was rejected, the Mirror reported.
The musician, pictured performing in London in 2019, sold more than 18 million singles in his solo career alone
(Image: Getty Images)
Liam was said to have been in a “state of intoxication due to polydrug use”, according to Laura Bruniard, the head of Criminal and Correctional Court Number 34. Judge Bruniard noted Liam appeared to have ‘a history of addiction’ based upon testimonies and evidence gathered over the last two months. The investigation has reported the singer had been demanding cocaine and alcohol from hotel staff. Liam was taken to his room by hotel staff and minutes later, he attempted to leave the room via the balcony, the judge said.
Argentina operates an ‘inquisitorial’ legal system which sees courts and judges actively involved in investigating the facts of a case. Forensic experts believe Liam fell unconscious as he clambed over the railing before falling to his death. Judge Bruniard said: “Payne’s consciousness was altered and there was a balcony in the room. The proper thing to do was to leave him in a safe place and with company until a doctor arrived.
“I maintain that the person named tried to leave from the balcony of the place where he was left because the forensic experts noted that he did not lose his balance. This is how the fall occurred. The named man tried to leave via the balcony, in the state detailed. He fell into the void and died. The autopsy performed on his body showed that the death was caused by multiple trauma and internal and external bleeding. The presence of cocaine and alcohol in large quantities was confirmed.”
Liam Payne spent his final days donating money to sick children
A report from the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office on November 7 found alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants in Liam’s system, and was in a “psychotic episode” at the time he fell, meaning he was not able to protect himself. It is believed hotel employees used a master key to return Liam to his room, with an employee calling 999. The employee said: “I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger. The room has a balcony and we are afraid he might do something.”
The One Direction member’s body was found with a bag strapped over his shoulder, which wasn’t present when he was carried from the lobby. A second-floor hotel guest discovered a leather bag containing pills, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and a note labelled “for Liam” on their balcony. It is believed by investigators that the bag, identified as the singer’s and not the one found next to his body, was lowered to the second floor as part of his attempted escape.