Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found to have multiple drugs in his system, including crack cocaine and methamphetamine, at the time of his death in Argentina, according to anonymous sources familiar with the initial toxicology reports.
The British singer, who was 31 years old, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last week.
Reports from ABC News and TMZ indicated that a combination of drugs known as “pink cocaine” – containing methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA – was discovered in a partial autopsy, along with crack cocaine and benzodiazepine. These findings were based on information from unnamed sources with knowledge of the preliminary tests.
An anonymous official mentioned in an Associated Press report stated that the initial toxicology report suggested evidence of exposure to cocaine, but cautioned that these results may not accurately reflect the actual levels in Payne’s bloodstream at the time of his death.
The final toxicology results are not expected to be released to the public for several weeks.
The case is currently under investigation by Argentina’s public prosecution, which is common in cases of sudden or unexpected deaths.
Payne’s autopsy confirmed that the injuries causing his death were consistent with a fall from the hotel window. Prosecutors have ruled out the involvement of any other individuals.
Investigators in Argentina found drugs and alcohol scattered around Payne’s hotel room, leading them to speculate that he may have experienced a substance abuse-related incident prior to the fall. It is believed that Payne may have fallen from the balcony while in a state of semi or total unconsciousness.
Photos from inside Payne’s hotel room showed a powdery substance on a table and a broken TV screen. Police also discovered clonazepam and over-the-counter medications among Payne’s belongings. The hotel manager had called emergency services to report a guest behaving aggressively under the influence of drugs and alcohol shortly before Payne’s death.
Authorities are now looking into the source of the drugs that Payne ingested at the CasaSur hotel in Palermo. Statements have been taken from hotel staff and individuals who visited Payne’s room before his death.
The news of Payne’s death has elicited an outpouring of grief from fans and industry figures worldwide.
Geoff Payne, the late singer’s father, is currently in Buenos Aires working with local officials to arrange for the repatriation of his son’s remains.
Argentinian authorities are expected to release the body next week, allowing Geoff Payne to return to England for a funeral. Hundreds of One Direction fans gathered in England on Sunday to mourn the musician.
– This report includes contributions from Associated Press and Agence France-Presse