Liam Payne’s cause of death confirmed in UK inquest after One Direction star suffered ‘multiple traumas’ in balcony fall
LIAM Payne’s cause of death has been confirmed in a UK inquest opening.
It comes after the One Direction star suffered “multiple traumas” in a fall from the balcony at the luxury Buenos Aires hotel he was staying at in October.
His medical cause of death was confirmed by Dr Roberto Victor Cohen as ‘polytrauma’ – meaning multiple traumatic injuries.
The hearing was held in Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court on December 17.
It was told it may take “some time” to formally confirm how the 31-year-old died.
The inquest into Liam’s death in the UK has now been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6, the coroner’s court said.
Five people have been charged over Liam’s death after he fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
The hotel’s manager, a receptionist and a friend of Payne have been charged with manslaughter, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office previously said in a statement.
They are reported to be hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi and Payne’s friend Roger Nores.
Two others, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, have been charged with supplying cocaine.
Paiz was been arrested by cops after the judge gave him 24 hours to hand himself in – with the Argentinian being found at home.
Pereyra handed himself into police after he initially went on the run and dodged police turning up to his house to arrest him.
Paiz’s lawyer, Fernando Madeo, earlier insisted his client has been the victim of a “witch hunt” as officials desperately try to find answers over the One Direction star’s death.
Paiz is accused of handing the troubled pop star cocaine on two separate occasions on October 14.
He previously admitted to taking drugs with the star but has insisted he was not a dealer.
Lawyer Madeo said: “They want to look for culprits at any price, violating constitutional rights and guarantees and forming a ’truth’ which turns out to false as is the case here.
“Accusing innocent people of crimes they haven’t committed.”
Judge Laura Bruniard said that just before 5pm, Liam was “unable to look after himself” and had “clearly fainted” in the hotel lobby.
The judge also concluded Liam fell to his death after trying to climb over his balcony, appearing to support claims he was trying to escape his room because he didn’t want to be there.
Liam’s manager as well as the manager of the hotel and its head of reception have now been charged with negligent homicide – similar to manslaughter in the UK.
He was in the Argentinian capital for pal Niall Horan’s tour when he died.
Crowds of devastated fans flocked to the hotel pay their respects to their idol.