New report shows Liam Payne's alcohol levels at the time of his death
A new report from the Argentinian government showed the alcohol levels of British singer Liam Payne at the time he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October 2024.
According to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office No. 14, the former One Direction member had "alcohol concentrations of up to 2.7 grams per liter in blood at the time of his death" at Casa Sur Hotel.
As stated on the American Addiction Centers' website, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) chart, 2.7 grams per liter of blood amounts to a 0.27% BAC level. Having a BAC level of 0.20% to 0.29%—the next tier after a "very high" BAC level of 0.15%—already leads to confusion, feeling dazed, and disorientation, they noted.
One may not notice if they fall or seriously hurt themselves, and are less likely to do anything about it.
The AAC said nausea and vomiting are likely to occur and the gag reflex will be impaired, which could cause choking or aspirating on vomit. Blackouts also begin and may cause one to not remember events they've participated in.
The report indicated that Payne had "cocaine metabolites, methylecgonine, benzoylecgomine, cocaethylene, and the medication sertraline" in his system.
It also mentioned Casa Sur Hotel worker Braian Nahuel Paiz, who alongside Ezequiel David Pereyra allegedly supplied Payne with drugs in exchange for cash.
Paiz previously denied the allegations, saying he gave his friend Payne drugs for free.
"[T]he evidence gathered reveals the onerous nature of the deliveries and enables the confirmation of the prosecution ordered by the previous instance," the document read.
The document cited security camera footage, which showed that Payne "went down to reception to ask for money" upon arriving at the hotel in the early hours of Oct. 14.
Paiz also allegedly told Payne in a text that the drugs would be "a gift." He also allegedly texted the singer, "The guy with the cigar just answered me, come later if you want."
Payne allegedly responded, “I have 100 US dollars."
A police report made at Paiz's residence, meanwhile, confirmed that "all the inhabitants/families of the place have as their main livelihood the sale of narcotic material."
The document also cited Payne's November 2024 toxicology report, which showed that in the 72 hours before his death, he had "alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants" in his body.
Payne, who rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, died on Oct. 16, 2024, at 31 years old.
His room was found destroyed, with broken objects and furniture, along with alcohol and suspected drugs.
According to a Jan. 8, 2025, report by BBC, Liam's official cause of death was polytrauma.
The National Institutes of Health said polytrauma is a term used for "severely injured patients" involved in the "incidence of the traumatic shock and/or hemorrhagic hypotensis" as well as a "serious endangering of one or more vital functions of the organism." The NIH added that "at least one out of two or more injuries or the sum total of all injuries endangers the life of the injured person with polytrauma."
Involuntary homicide charges were dropped against Payne's friend in Argentina, as well as Casa Sur Hotel's manager and head of reception.
Legal proceedings are ongoing against Paiz and Pereyra, who are seeking to dismiss the case against them.
