Liam Payne's cause of death confirmed in preliminary autopsy findings

The prosecutor's office in Argentina has revealed Liam Payne's preliminary autopsy report, confirming that the 31-year-old singer died from internal and external damages after falling from the third storey of a hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, October 16.

Liam Payne.

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According to a Spanish-language press release issued the next day by the country's National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office, the initial report concluded that the former One Direction star appeared to be alone and under the influence of substances when he fell at 5:07 p.m. on Wednesday. The findings are consistent with a panicked 911 call made by hotel workers soon before Payne's death, which stated that a visitor was "overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol" and "destroying [their] entire room." By the time police came, Payne had already fallen and died from his injuries.

The autopsy further states that Payne's body was transferred to the Judicial Morgue on Wednesday night and examined by forensic physicians between 9:45 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. They decided that 25 of the musician's injuries, including those to the brain, abdomen, and limbs, were consistent with those caused by a fall from a height. They also noticed that his hands showed no evidence of defensive wounds, and based on his body position, he might have been partially or completely asleep at the time of his fall. They also discovered no evidence of third-party interference.

The article notes that detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the star's death and if a third party was involved. According to the article, detectives spoke with five persons the night of Payne's death, including three hotel staff and two ladies who were with the singer in the hours leading up to his death but fled before his fall. Investigators discovered chemicals in the room that appear to be drugs and alcoholic beverages.

The experts are still awaiting more toxicology testing to assess the degree to which drugs and alcohol may have had a factor in Payne's death.

The news of the X Factor alum's passing shook the music industry Wednesday night, with fans and peers alike flocking to social media to express shock and grief. His family issued a statement to the BBC Thursday morning, October 17, saying, "We are heartbroken. Liam will always be in our hearts, and we will remember him for his kind, witty, and fearless spirit. We are supporting each other as best we can as a family and request privacy and space during this difficult time."

Payne is survived by Bear, a 7-year-old son he had with ex-partner Cheryl Cole. After scoring numerous singles with One Direction from 2010 to 2016, the musician launched a successful solo career.