Liam Payne’s cause of death confirmed as ‘polytrauma’

The cause of Liam Payne's tragic and untimely death has been confirmed at a UK inquest as 'polytrauma'.

The 31-year-old One Direction star died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 16 October 2024.

Dr Roberto Victor Cohen confirmed the cause of death as 'polytrauma', which refers to multiple traumatic injuries.

Five people have since been charged over Payne’s death, following his fall from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel.

Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office previously said in a statement that the hotel’s manager, a receptionist and a friend of Payne have been charged with manslaughter.

Those charged were confirmed to be hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi and Payne’s personal friend Roger Nores.

Two other individuals, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, were charged with supplying cocaine.

During the hearing, Senior Coroner Crispin Butler said: “Whilst there are ongoing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances of Liam’s death, over which I have no legal jurisdiction, it is anticipated that procuring the relevant information to address particularly how Liam came by his death may take some time through the formal channel of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”

Liam Payne died aged just 31. (Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

Payne's funeral took place on 20 November 2024, with all fellow One Direction members - Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan - in attendance, as well as Cheryl Tweedy, the mother of Payne's seven-year-old son, Bear.

Following Payne's death, his fellow band members released a statement that read: "We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing… For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

"We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam."

Cheryl wrote via Instagram: "As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.

"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7-year-old son.

"A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

"What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days.

"It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future."