Liam Payne's cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy report

Liam Payne's preliminary autopsy report was shared by Argentine prosecutors, revealing that the 31-year-old singer died from internal and external trauma when he fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (October 16).

According to the Spanish-language press release from the country's National Penal and Correctional Office released the next day, the initial report concluded that the former One Direction star appeared to be alone and under the influence of substances when he fell at age 5: Wednesday, 7 p.m. The findings are consistent with a frantic 911 call from staff at the hotel shortly before Payne's death, which reported that a guest was “overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol” and “destroyed his entire room.” When the police arrived, Payne had already fallen and died from his injuries at the scene of the accident.

The autopsy also notes that Payne's body was taken to the morgue Wednesday evening and examined by medical examiners from 9:45 to 11:05 p.m. They concluded that 25 injuries – including to the skull, abdomen and limbs – found on the musician were compatible with those caused by a fall from a height. They also noted that there were no signs of defensive wounds on his hands and that he may have been partially or fully unconscious given the position of his body at the time of his fall. They also found no signs of third-party intervention.

The report states that investigators are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the star's death and whether a third party was involved. According to the report, investigators spoke to five people the night of Payne's death – three hotel workers and two women who were with the singer in the hours before his death but left him before his fall. The investigators also found substances in the room that at first glance appeared to be narcotics and alcoholic beverages.

Experts are still waiting for further toxicology tests to determine whether drugs and alcohol may have played a role in Payne's death.

News from the X factor The alum's death shocked the music world on Wednesday night, with fans and colleagues alike taking to social media to express their shock and sadness. His family shared a statement with the BBC on Thursday morning (October 17), saying: “We are heartbroken. Liam will live on 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.”

Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with his ex-partner Cheryl Cole. After scoring countless hits with One Direction from 2010 to 2016, the musician started a successful solo career.