After the boy band One Direction announced its temporary hiatus in 2015, the vocalist left the group to pursue a solo career.
Payne fell from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday at 5:07 p.m., according to national authorities.
Evidence presented by the prosecution indicated that he was by himself and “going through some type of outbreak as a result of substance abuse” at the time of his fall.
He died from multiple trauma injuries and haemorrhage, according to a post-mortem. Additionally, tests are being performed to see if he was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Payne sustained a total of 25 injuries, according to the forensic physicians who performed the post-mortem, “compatible with those caused by a fall from a height.”
They said that his head injuries were sufficient to cause his death.
The post-mortem investigation indicated that there was no evidence of a struggle, no “defensive injuries” on his corpse, and nothing that would indicate another person was directly engaged.
In addition, the medical professionals noted that Payne did not appear to assume a “reflex posture” to shield himself as he fell, raising the possibility that he was partially or completely unconscious.
The musician has been spending several days at the CasaSur Hotel, located in the Palermo neighbourhood of the city.
Two ladies were in Payne’s room on Wednesday, according to a statement from Argentinean prosecutors, but they left a few hours before he fell.
Following that, when the room was searched by the police, they discovered what looked to be alcohol and drugs, though tests are still being conducted to identify the exact chemicals. Additionally, damaged “several objects and furniture” were discovered by the officers.
The hotel reported a guest’s attitude to the police, prompting a 911 emergency call just before Payne fell.
