Photo: Getty Images
Authorities in Argentina are providing insight into the cause of death for Liam Payne, who tragically lost his life after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires this week.
Payne unexpectedly passed away at just 31 years old on Wednesday (October 16) after falling from a third story balcony at the Casa Sur Palermo Hotel. Prior to his death, local police had reportedly been called to the hotel after receiving reports about "an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol," but when they arrived on scene, they heard a loud noise and discovered Payne's body in the hotel courtyard.
While an autopsy has not been completed to officially determine Payne's cause of death, Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti told local newspaper La Nación that the former One Direction singer suffered a "very serious" cranial fracture and "extremely serious" injuries from his fall that were ultimately "incompatible with life," resulting in his passing, per E! News.
"Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life," he said, via English translation. "Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to hiss immediate death."
Crescenti, who urged the public not to "get ahead of ourselves" regarding speculation on whether the singer was under the influence at the time of his death, said there was "absolutely nothing" his team could do in terms of life-saving care as Payne had already passed away.
"There was no resuscitation because it was confirmed that he had died," he said. "The whole body had very serious injuries."
Following news of his death, his family shared an emotional statement mourning the loss of his "kind, funny and brave soul" while friends and fans took to social media to mourn the loss of the "Strip that Down" singer, including Harry Styles' mom who shared a heartbroken tribute to Payne.
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shared with ex Cheryl Cole, as well as his parents and sisters.