Liam Payne preliminary autopsy reveals cause of death after trashed room searched

Specialists have carried out an autopsy on the One Direction star

Liam Payne died of 'multiple traumas', a preliminary autopsy has revealed. The 31-year-old died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the Palermo area of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 17.

Staff at CaseSur Palermo hotel made a disturbing call to 911, telling of their concerns over Payne. One member of staff described how they were 'afraid' Payne was going to 'do something'.

An autopsy has since been carried out on by the Forensic Medical Corps at the Judicial Morgue on Viamonte Street. Local outlet Infobae was given access to the preliminary results, which have been revealed in Argentinian media.

READ MORE: Liam Payne 911 call in full as hotel staff warn 'we are afraid he could do something'

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According to a report by two specialists who conducted the autopsy, Payne died from 'multiple traumas' which caused 'internal and external bleeding'. The preliminary result was consistent with a 10 metre fall he suffered from the balcony of his room, on the third floor of the hotel on Godoy Cruz Street.

A toxicological and anatomical-pathological study of his blood and urine was being carried out to determine whether there are any traces of drugs. The One Direction star's medical history might also be needed to analyse his mental health history.

Last night, personnel from the Mobile Criminalistics Unit of the City Police of Buenos Aires collected forensic evidence in Payne's room at Casa Sur hotel. A bottle of whiskey, a lighter, and a phone which could belong to the singer were retrieved.

Fingerprints were found on all objects. There was a mess in the room, with a broken television, while tests are set to be carried out on substances found.

The report read: "A notebook and the musician’s passport were seized and handed over to Prosecutor No. 16. Other elements caught investigators’ attention, such as various melted candles and metallic paper found in several places in the room, like the desk and jacuzzi, as well as fragments of cans with burn marks.

"Over-the-counter medications were also found at the scene. There was a half-drunk glass of champagne next to the television."

According to police in Buenos Aires, officers were initially responding to reports 'of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol'. Pictures showed fans outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area, with forensic investigators in white suits and blue gloves seen.

Alberto Crescenti, a director of El Sistema de Atención Médica de Emergencias, known as SAME - the country’s emergency medical service - explained what injuries Payne sustained. Speaking to channel TN he said: "Within minutes a SAME team arrived and confirmed the death of this man, who we later found out was a member of a musical group."

He said the injuries were so severe paramedics could not resuscitate him. He added: "There was no possibility of doing anything."

The fall would have been 13 or 14 metres, according to Crescenti. He said: "According to what the team saw, he had a fractured skull base. The injuries were very serious."