Singer Liam Payne‘s cause of death has been confirmed in the opening of an inquest in the UK.
The former One Direction star died on October 16 last year after falling from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires.
Dr Roberto Victor Cohen confirmed his medical cause of death was “polytrauma” — a term used to describe a person’s body and internal organs having sustained multiple injuries.
Senior Coroner Crispin Butler told the hearing, held on December 17, it would take “some time” to formally confirm what led to the 31-year-old’s death.
“Whilst there are ongoing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances of Liam’s death … it is anticipated that procuring the relevant information to address particularly how Liam came by his death may take some time through the formal channel of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,” the BBC quoted him as saying.
The UK inquest has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6.
In November, the prosecutors office in Argentina said toxicology tests found traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in Payne’s body.
A document released by the public prosecutors claimed Payne was so drunk and drug-affected in the hours before his death that he was unable to walk, leading three people to drag him to his room.
Medical reports also suggested the singer may have fallen into semi or total unconsciousness.
The prosecutor’s office argued this evidenced Payne’s fall was not a voluntary act.
In the published update, Judge Laura Bruniard described Payne as “a picture of addiction”, who had demanded cocaine and alcohol from hotel staff.
“On October 16, moments before 5pm, Payne could not care for himself,” she said.
A post-mortem examination found he suffered “multiple trauma” as a result of his fall from the balcony.
A Casa Sur Hotel manager, a receptionist, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores have each been charged with manslaughter over the singer’s death.
The judge was quoted as saying Mr Nores, “is held criminally responsible for the death”, because he “abandoned” the singer, “having full knowledge of the state of intoxication, vulnerability and helplessness in which he found himself”.
A hotel employee and a waiter have also been charged with drug offences, accused of selling Payne cocaine in the days preceding his death.
A private funeral service was held for Payne in Buckinghamshire, England in November, attended by his family, friends and former band mates.
