Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, was found to have several drugs in his system when he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to multiple news reports.
An initial toxicology report indicated that the 31-year-old British singer had substances including “pink cocaine,” which is a combination of MDMA, ketamine, and methamphetamine. Reports from Argentine media outlets and TMZ also noted the presence of cocaine, methamphetamines, ketamine, MDMA, benzodiazepines, and crack cocaine. NBC News has not yet verified these findings.
Law officials explain that “pink cocaine” typically contains little to no actual cocaine and its pink color comes from food dye. Bridget Brennan, a narcotics prosecutor in New York, mentioned in an August interview that pink cocaine often consists of various substances, a trend common among street drugs. The comprehensive toxicology report is not expected to be released for several weeks.
Payne’s death occurred shortly after a hotel staff member called 911, expressing concern about an agitated guest under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The caller conveyed fears that the guest might harm himself from the balcony of his third-floor room.
Argentina’s emergency service confirmed that Payne fell from the hotel balcony. The director of the emergency service, Alberto Crescenti, stated that Payne was found dead shortly after the emergency call. An autopsy revealed 25 injuries consistent with a fall and determined that the cause of death was due to “polytraumatism” and internal and external bleeding.
Liam Payne gained worldwide fame as part of the boy band One Direction, formed in 2010 by Simon Cowell. After the group’s disbandment, Payne embarked on a solo career, launching his first single “Strip That Down” in 2017, which reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Following the announcement of his passing, Payne’s former bandmates expressed their devastation, stating in a joint message on social media that they felt as if they had lost a brother.