Investigators have shared an update on Liam Payne’s death.
A press release translated from Argentina’s public prosecutor on Thursday, November 7, revealed that the One Direction member’s death is not being ruled as a suicide.
“Although other medical background information from the victim’s clinical history must still be analyzed, the phenomenon of the lack of defense or self-preservation reflex in the fall, together with other relevant data from his consumption, allow us to conclude that Liam Payne was not fully conscious or was experiencing a state of noticeable decrease or loss of consciousness at the time of the fall,” the statement read.
The details of this situation “rule out the possibility of a conscious or voluntary act,” the statement continued. “In the state he was in, he did not know what he was doing nor could he understand it.”
Payne died at age 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16. A partial autopsy reported that the singer had “pink cocaine” in his system at the time of his death, which typically mixes methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA. Payne had cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack in his system as well.
Three people were charged on Thursday amid an ongoing investigation into Payne’s sudden passing. Charges included abandonment leading to death and the supply and facilitation of narcotics. A 180-page indictment submitted by Judge Laura Graciela Bruniard requested the three individuals’ deposition and arrest.
The indictment also detailed efforts to “reconstruct the days Payne spent” at the hotel prior to his death. Nine raids in connection with the singer’s death were also conducted in Buenos Aires City.
Payne’s friend, businessman Rogelio “Roger” Nores has since spoken out, denying any involvement in the singer’s death.
“I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened,” Nores told the Daily Mail in a statement on Thursday. “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen.”
Nores noted that he gave his statement on October 17 and “haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since.”
“I wasn’t Liam’s manager; he was just my very dear friend,” his statement continued. “I’m really heartbroken with this tragedy, and I’ve been missing my friend every day.”
Payne’s body was sent back to the U.K. on Thursday. His father, Geoff, accompanied the remains. The singer is survived by his parents, two older sisters and 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
