The cause of death for singer Liam Payne has been confirmed as “polytrauma” following a UK inquest opening.
Tribune Online reports that the One Direction star passed away on 16 October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.
Polytrauma refers to multiple traumatic injuries sustained to a person’s body and organ systems.
During a hearing held at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court on 17 December, the court was informed that it may take “some time” to formally establish the exact circumstances surrounding the 31-year-old’s death.
The inquest into Payne’s death in the UK has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on 6 November, the coroner’s court said.
His medical cause of death was confirmed by Dr Roberto Victor Cohen as ‘polytrauma’.
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The court also heard that Payne had been formally identified “with the assistance of the funeral directors in Buckinghamshire.”
Senior Coroner Crispin Butler noted, “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.”
Five individuals in Argentina have been charged in connection with Payne’s death. These include the hotel’s manager, Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores, who face charges of manslaughter, according to Argentina’s prosecutor’s office. Ezequiel Pereyra, another hotel worker, and waiter Braian Paiz have been charged with supplying drugs.
In November, Argentine authorities revealed that toxicology tests showed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in Payne’s body. A post-mortem examination confirmed his death resulted from “multiple trauma” and “internal and external haemorrhage” following the fall.
The prosecutor’s office also suggested that Payne may have fallen while semi-conscious or unconscious. This finding ruled out any possibility of the fall being a conscious or voluntary act, concluding that Payne had no awareness of his actions.
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