Liam Payne autopsy shows star died as a result of multiple fall injuries | Liam Payne

According to Argentine prosecutors, Liam Payne died from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by a fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. An autopsy revealed that the pop star's head injuries were enough to cause death.

An ongoing investigation – including interviewing five witnesses to reconstruct the 31-year-old musician's final hours – found he was alone at the time of the fall. Substances indicating alcohol and drug use were seized from Payne's hotel room.

The former One Direction member died at 5pm local time on Wednesday. Guests at Hotel Casa Sur told the Guardian they heard banging and screaming for hours before Payne fell.

“I thought they were at construction, banging and banging on doors most of the day. It was loud and bizarre,” Doug Jones said. “Later I heard the sirens and thought maybe there was a fire somewhere. And then I heard a very loud scream.”

According to Reuters, a hotel receptionist called emergency services to inform police of an “aggressive man who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” The hotel manager said he heard a loud noise at the back of the hotel and when police arrived they found a man had fallen over the balcony of his room.

Photos purporting to show Payne's room in disarray and published in local news and online were believed to have been taken by hotel employees, sparking a backlash over journalistic ethics.

Payne's family said in a statement that her death was “heartbroken.” “Liam will live in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.”

One Direction was formed on The X Factor in 2010. Host Dermot O'Leary paid tribute to Payne, describing him as “a joy” who “had time for everyone, was polite, grateful and always humble”.

Ronnie Wood – who performed with the band when they returned as a guest on the show in 2014 – said it was “a joy to work with him”, while pop star Charlie Puth, who co-wrote Payne's 2017 solo song “Bedroom Floor”. , called he was an “important artist.”

Payne's former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan have yet to comment on his death. Cheryl Tweedy, with whom Payne had a son, Bear, in 2017, also did not comment.

Rebecca Ferguson, a runner-up on the seventh series of The X Factor, in which One Direction came third, and who has been outspoken about abuse in the music industry, recalled meeting Payne in a taxi from Euston station to the show .

“I can't help but think of the boy who was hopeful and looking forward to his bright future,” she tweeted.

“I've been talking about the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects for years – many of us are still living with the consequences and post-traumatic stress disorder. Many of us are devastated and thoughtful today as it has finally claimed its first victim.”