Those close to Liam Payne were completely caught off guard by his death and are now having to come to terms with how “bad” of a place he was in when he died at age 31, a source exclusively tells In Touch.
“There’s a collective sense of stunned disbelief within his inner circle,” the insider reveals. “The scale of grief is impossible to process, let alone put into words. It’s becoming increasingly evident that he was in a very bad place mentally.”
Liam died after jumping off the third floor balcony of a hotel room in Argentina on October 16. Five days later, sources told ABC News that a partial autopsy and toxicology report revealed that the One Direction alum had various drugs in his system, including cocaine, benzodiazepine, crack and “pink cocaine,” a recreational drug that typically mixes methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA.
On the day Liam died, local authorities received a 911 call from the hotel about an unidentified “aggressive man possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” The caller said, “When he is conscious he breaks, he is breaking the whole room. Well, we need you to send someone, please.”
When police arrived at the scene, Liam was already dead with injuries that were “incompatible with life,” according to officials.
Meanwhile, tests on a white powder found in Liam’s hotel room were found to be “inconclusive,” according to Argentinian news portal Infobae. Forensic toxicologist Fernando Cardini said that Liam’s death may not have been intentional because being in a different country may have triggered the “substance-induced,” “semi-conscious” or “unconscious” state that led him to jump.
“There was a situation in which a person consumed drugs, but being in a different country, perhaps it didn’t have the same concentration of drug that he bought,” Cardini said. “Perhaps that got the better of him.” In Touch also confirmed that officials found no evidence of self-defense, with Cardini also explaining, “Someone committing suicide, before falling, has the instinct of putting his hands out to protect himself.”
Liam was alone in Argentina at the time of his death. He is survived by his parents, two sisters, girlfriend Kate Cassidy and 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with ex Cheryl (formerly known as Cheryl Cole).
“[Cheryl’s] devastated but trying to stay strong for their little boy,” In Touch’s source says. “Liam adored Bear more than anything. It’s just so tragic he’s going to grow up without him.”
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).
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
