What the autopsy found — and what remains under investigation
On the evening of October 16, 2024, 31-year-old singer Liam Payne tragically fell from a third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina — a fall that proved fatal. Medical examiners later confirmed his official cause of death as “polytrauma,” meaning a series of catastrophic traumatic injuries leading to internal and external hemorrhaging.
Authorities determined the fall resulted in at least 25 distinct injuries across his body. Head trauma alone was deemed sufficient to cause death, while internal bleeding in the skull, chest, abdomen and limbs further contributed to the outcome. The severity and nature of these injuries left no possibility for resuscitation or recovery.
Toxicology reveals severe impairment
In the hours and days after the tragic incident, investigators conducted a full toxicology analysis. The results showed that Payne’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .27 percent — more than three times the typical legal driving limit in the U.S., an amount characterized by severe intoxication leading to major impairment of motor control, balance and judgment.
In addition to alcohol, lab tests detected the presence of cocaine metabolites and a prescribed antidepressant in his system. Prosecutors described traces of cocaine, benzodiazepines, and other drug metabolites found in his blood, urine, and vitreous humour.
Given the combination of alcohol and narcotics, medical experts believe Payne likely was in a state of semi-consciousness or total unconsciousness at the time he fell — a conclusion reinforced by the absence of any defensive wounds, which suggests he did not attempt to brace himself or protect his head during the fall.
Timeline in Buenos Aires and the fatal night
Earlier that month, Payne traveled to Buenos Aires to renew his U.S. visa and to attend social engagements. On the day of his death, hotel staff reported erratic and aggressive behavior — signs often associated with extreme intoxication. According to staff accounts, Payne was unsteady, possibly under the influence, and had caused property damage in his room lobby area.
Hotel management called emergency services due to concerns over his condition and the potential danger posed by the hotel room’s balcony. Not long after medical personnel arrived, Payne fell from the balcony. Medical responders reported a cranial fracture and “extremely serious injuries incompatible with life.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Autopsy findings confirmed the tragic severity of the fall; injuries were consistent with a fall from considerable height, and the combination of internal hemorrhages sealed the cause of death as polytrauma.
Legal proceedings: who was charged — and what happened
Within weeks of Payne’s death, Argentine prosecutors filed charges against five individuals connected to his stay at the CasaSur Hotel. Among them were: a companion who had been traveling with Payne, hotel staff members, and a restaurant waiter. The charges ranged from supplying narcotics to “abandonment leading to death” (similar to manslaughter under Argentine law).
In early 2025, a court cleared three — including Payne’s friend and two hotel employees — citing insufficient evidence of legal negligence. However, the two others remain in custody: a hotel employee and the waiter who allegedly provided narcotics. They face prosecution on charges of supplying the drugs found in Payne’s system and, if convicted, could receive lengthy prison sentences.
Concurrent with the criminal case in Argentina, an official inquest was opened in the UK. In December 2024, the inquest concluded that Payne’s cause of death was “polytrauma,” aligning with the findings of the Argentine autopsy. However, the inquest has been adjourned — with a full hearing now scheduled for 2026 — to allow authorities to gather more witness statements, forensic reports, and other evidence.
Why the case remains unresolved — and what’s still under review
Though the medical cause of death is officially settled, many questions linger. The backlog of evidence — including CCTV footage, phone records, forensic toxicology data, witness interviews, and hotel logs — is substantial. Investigators are working through hundreds of hours of surveillance materials and re-interviewing hotel staff and guests to reconstruct the timeline leading up to the fall.
Crucial areas under scrutiny include: who supplied the drugs and alcohol; whether Payne was intentionally left alone when unable to care for himself; if hotel staff should have prevented him from accessing a room with a balcony; and whether proper medical care was delayed or neglected. These questions remain under active investigation by Argentine and British authorities.
Public reaction and the legacy of a lost talent
News of Payne’s death sent shockwaves throughout the global music community. Fans gathered outside the hotel in Buenos Aires, later lighting candles at memorials around the world. Fellow artists, colleagues, and loved ones mourned openly, praising Payne’s kindness, talent, and the genuine love he had for both music and fans.
Though gone too soon, his legacy continues through his music — and through the ongoing pursuit of justice and clarity around the circumstances of his death. For many, the unfolding investigation isn’t just about accountability, but about ensuring that Payne’s final hours are fully understood and that lessons are drawn from this tragedy.
The confirmed medical cause of death for Liam Payne remains polytrauma — multiple injuries and hemorrhages resulting from a fall from height, under severe intoxication verified by toxicology. What caused him to fall — the timing, the people involved, and the decisions made in those final hours — is under intense legal and forensic review, a process that likely won’t conclude until the 2026 inquest hearing.
If you have thoughts or questions about this case, feel free to share your perspective below — and stay tuned for further developments as more evidence emerges.