The official cause of death: polytrauma — multiple traumatic injuries
On October 16, 2024, at age 31, former boy-band star Liam Payne died after falling from a third-floor balcony of the hotel he was staying at in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Medical experts later confirmed his cause of death as “polytrauma,” meaning multiple traumatic injuries that resulted in fatal internal and external hemorrhaging.
Fall from hotel balcony in Buenos Aires
The fall occurred at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood. According to emergency medical records, the fall was from a height of roughly 13–14 meters (about 42–45 feet). The traumatic injuries included a cranial fracture and other damage deemed instantly fatal.
Toxicology findings: alcohol and drugs present
Toxicology results showed that Payne had alcohol, cocaine (including reportedly “pink cocaine”) and prescription antidepressants in his system. One report indicated his blood-alcohol concentration was 2.7 g/L (.27% BAC) — a level consistent with severe intoxication that can impair consciousness and coordination. Authorities also found drug paraphernalia in the hotel room. Investigators judged that Payne may have been semi-conscious or unconscious at the time of the fall, meaning he was likely unable to react or protect himself.
No evidence of foul play or self-harm — investigation focuses on drug involvement
Both Argentine and UK authorities concluded that there was no third-party violence and no evidence that the fall was deliberate self-harm. Instead, investigators attribute the tragedy primarily to a combination of extreme intoxication, drug influence and the resulting impaired state — not to external assault or suicide.
Legal proceedings remain ongoing
Five people were charged in connection with the events leading up to Payne’s death. Charges against three individuals — including a friend and two hotel staff — were dropped in early 2025. However, two people remain in custody, accused of supplying drugs. They face potential prison sentences of 4 to 14 years if convicted. Investigators continue to review extensive evidence — including surveillance video, phone records and witness statements. A full inquest, expected in the UK, has been delayed until 2026 pending receipt of complete reports and eyewitness accounts.
Why the investigation is still far from over
The sheer volume of evidence — reportedly hundreds of hours of CCTV, multiple devices, and extensive forensic data — has slowed progress. Authorities must sift through all that material, corroborate witness testimonies, and build a clear timeline. Meanwhile, questions remain around how Payne came to consume a fatal mix of substances, who supplied them, and whether there was negligence in the handling of his care during those final hours.
What we know now is tragic yet clear: the verified cause of death for Liam Payne was polytrauma from a fall, compounded by severe intoxication and multiple traumatic injuries.
What remains to be clarified — through ongoing legal and forensic work — is exactly how and why the moments leading up to that fall unfolded.
Share your thoughts or stay tuned for more updates as the investigation continues.