More information is surfacing surrounding the tragic death of One Direction star, Liam Payne.
ABC News, citing sources, reports that an initial toxicology report found that the “Strip That Down” singer had a number of drugs in his body at the time of his death, including a recreational drug called “pink cocaine,” which is a mix of substances and often contains ketamine combined with MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, opioids and/or psychoactive substances. A handmade aluminum pipe was also found in his Argentina hotel room, according to the news outlet.
According to The New York Times, who also reported that tests showed Payne had drugs in his system, the final results are still to come, with no date for their release expected yet.
The Noticitas Argentina news agency reported that Marcelo Roma, who is the lead investigator in the case, announced the preliminary toxicology results on Monday (Oct. 21). He also said that the report indicated the singer had cocaine in his system, and that there is an investigation into who provided the musician with the drugs.
Payne died on Oct. 16 at age 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner Cheryl Cole. In the days since his death, countless friends, fans and family members have posted messages of grief, including all four of the musician’s former bandmates: Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.
A previously released preliminary autopsy report revealed that Payne died from internal and external traumas. The Judicial Morgue concluded that 25 injuries — including to the skull, abdomen and limbs — identified on the musician were compatible with those caused by a fall from a height. They also noted that there were no signs of defensive wounds on his hands, and considering the position of his body, he may have been partially or fully unconscious at the time of his fall.
Payne had been open in the past about his struggles with addiction. In May 2023, he celebrated 100 days of sobriety. “I feel really, really good, and support from the fans and everything has been really, really good. So, I’m super happy,” he said at the time. In 2021, Payne also discussed his substance use issues on the Diary of a CEO podcast, revealing his struggle with depression and substances during the chaotic 1D years.
