Fans everywhere are grieving for Liam Payne, the former member of One Direction, who tragically passed away at the young age of 31.

Recently, the autopsy results have disclosed the official cause of his untimely death.

Payne’s life was cut short on October 16, following a fall from his third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Local medical personnel conducted an autopsy at the city’s morgue to identify the precise cause of his passing.

Liam Payne: Understanding the Cause of His Passing

The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 14 reported that Payne succumbed to “polytrauma, internal, and external hemorrhage.”

There is an ongoing investigation into what has been labeled a “doubtful death,” although initial reports suggest Payne was alone when he fell. His partner, Kate Cassidy, had reportedly left Argentina two days before the incident.

The report mentions that Payne had been undergoing some form of episode possibly linked to substance use. Law enforcement reported finding narcotics and alcoholic drinks in Payne’s hotel room.

His Last Hours: Substance Use, Disturbed Hotel Room, and an Emergency Call

In the moments leading up to Payne’s death, a haunting 911 call from hotel staff flagged concerns over his behavior. They noted that he was damaging his room under the influence of drugs and alcohol, fearing his life might be in jeopardy, and urged for immediate police intervention.

Payne had previously spoken candidly about his addiction struggles, sharing that he battled dependencies on pills and alcohol during the height of his fame with One Direction.

He once remarked on the The Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021: “In the band… the best way to secure us, because of how big we’d got, was just to lock us in our rooms. What’s in the room? A mini-bar,” he said. “So at a certain point I thought, I’m just going to have a party-for-one and that seemed to carry on for many years of my life. Then you look back at how long you’ve been drinking and you’re like, ‘Jesus Christ, that’s a long time.’”

In May 2023, Payne proudly announced he was 100 days sober after a rehabilitation stint, describing the newfound clarity as “amazing.”

A World Mourns: Tributes to Liam Payne

The sudden and tragic news of Liam Payne’s death has left fans and the music industry in universal mourning.

Payne rose to global fame as part of the powerhouse boy band One Direction. The group, comprised of Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, first formed in 2010 during The X Factor competition before securing a deal with Simon Cowell’s record label.

One Direction’s initial four albums entered at number one on the Billboard US charts—an unprecedented achievement—yielding hit songs like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” and “Live While We’re Young.”

The band quickly became a cultural phenomenon, leading to whirlwind global tours and securing their status as teen idols. After their hiatus in 2016, Payne ventured into a promising solo career.

For countless fans who grew up idolizing One Direction, his sudden passing is a profound loss. Fans have been pouring out their sorrow through heartfelt tributes on social media and organizing vigils in his memory.

Camila Martínez, a 24-year-old mourning at the Argentine hotel, shared with the New York Times: “He was my favorite. My heart shattered when the band split. My life was tough, and I’d turn to their music whenever I felt sad.”

The music community has also joined in expressing their grief.

Musician Charlie Puth reflected in disbelief, noting, “I am in shock right now,” recalling Payne as “one of the first major artists I got to work with.” “I can not believe he’s gone.”

British singer-songwriter Rita Ora, who worked with Payne on the track “For You,” shared her sorrow, saying: “I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones.”

In a united statement from Payne’s One Direction bandmates, they conveyed their grief:

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they declared, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”

Rest easy, Liam Payne — you’ll be dearly missed by fans across the globe. Such a heartbreaking loss 😢💔

Let us remember Liam Payne by sharing his story.