Liam Payne’s Death Revealed to Be Accidental Fall, Argentine Authorities Confirm
Liam Payne’s tragic death on October 16, 2024, shocked fans around the world, but recent investigations in Argentina have confirmed that his passing was not a suicide, as some had speculated. Prosecutors have ruled that the former One Direction singer likely fell from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires while unconscious, not intentionally. The Argentine authorities have arrested three individuals in connection with Payne’s death, charging them with abandonment and the illegal provision of narcotics.
Payne’s sudden passing at the age of 31 came as a surprise, especially considering his personal and professional life seemed to be on the upswing. From his humble beginnings as a contestant on The X Factor, Payne’s life took a dramatic turn when he was selected to join One Direction in 2010, propelling him to global stardom. Although the band went on hiatus in 2016, Payne’s solo career continued, though it was marred by struggles, including allegations of drug use and personal challenges with his former fiancée. These issues appeared to overshadow his musical aspirations.
In a YouTube video posted in July 2023, Payne had expressed his commitment to sobriety after a 100-day stay in rehab, acknowledging the support of friends and family who had helped him along the way. Despite these efforts, toxicology reports following his death indicated the presence of several drugs, including cocaine, benzodiazepine, and crack cocaine, as well as a dangerous drug mix known as “pink cocaine,” which typically contains MDMA, ketamine, and methamphetamine. However, the official autopsy report did not mention the “pink cocaine” and instead pointed to a mixture of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant.
The Argentine prosecutor overseeing the case, Andrés Madrea, concluded that Payne’s fall was accidental, as he did not show signs of a reflexive posture typical of someone who intended to jump. Following a thorough investigation that included analyzing security footage, interviews with dozens of people, and a review of Payne’s phone, three suspects were arrested. One of them, a hotel worker, allegedly provided Payne with cocaine, while the others were involved in supplying drugs to him in the days leading up to the fall.
The investigation also clarified the circumstances surrounding Payne’s final moments. A close associate of Payne, Rogelio “Roger” Nores, who was traveling with him at the time of his death, denied any involvement in the tragedy. Nores stated he had visited Payne several times on the day of his death but had left the hotel 40 minutes before the fatal fall. Meanwhile, Payne’s body was returned to the UK for burial, and plans for his memorial service are still in the works, though specific details have not been publicly disclosed.
