Liam Payne: Physical toll of star’s demons uncovered as sad toxicology update emerges

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As a new toxicology report sheds light on sad new details about Liam Payne’s tragic death, The Mirror speaks to experts on the long-term impact of substance abuse

An expert has revealed the true toll that relapses can have on the body as Liam Payne’s desperate struggle to get sober still haunts his close friend.

The former One Direction singer tragically died at the age of 31 in October last year after plunging from the third-floor balcony of a hotel while on holiday in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The X Factor star’s body was found on an internal patio at the hotel around 5pm and he suffered “severe injuries which were incompatible with life”.

An initial toxicology report found traces of “alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants” in Liam’s system, along with ‘pink cocaine’ – a combination of crystal meth, ketamine and MDMA. Now, a newly-released report, by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, has shed further light on his physical and mental state before his passing.

According to a statement shared by authorities, Liam was three times the US legal driving limit at the time of his death, which would have left him ‘severely impaired’. The autopsy revealed that his death was “caused by multiple trauma and internal and external bleeding”, and also determined that he had alcohol concentrations of up to 2.7 grams per litre in blood.

This amount (0.27%) can cause serious symptoms including confusion, disorientation and feeling dazed, according to Alcohol.org. A blood alcohol content of 0.3% or higher can result in alcohol poisoning, and a level of 0.4% can be fatal.

The statement confirmed Liam had traces of “cocaine metabolites, methylecgonine, benzoylecgomine, cocaethylene and the medication sertraline” in his system – meaning cocaine and antidepressants.

The X Factor star spoke candidly about his mental health struggles and his struggles with drug and alcohol abuse over the years, and in the months prior to his death, it is believed he was trying hard to get sober. Liam previously shared that he first turned to substances at the height of 1D’s dizzying fame, and admitted to going through a wild “pills and booze phase” at a young age.

According to consultant clinical psychologist Dr Deborah Lee, Liam’s history with drink and drugs likely had long-term impacts on his brain function and mental state, which could have caused unstable and erratic behaviour in his final moments. Dr Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, told The Mirror that research shows “heavy drinking in adolescence can have a significant harmful effect on the structure and development of the brain”. In simple terms: “Alcohol is a toxic drug which kills brain cells.”

“The brain continues to develop well into young adulthood and heavy alcohol consumption during this time can negatively affect brain function in later life,” Dr Lee explained. “Scientists have discovered that when young people drink alcohol, this damages neurophysiological function. Taking drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine in addition to consuming large amounts of alcohol exacerbates alcohol-related brain impairment.”

Significantly, “even after a period of prolonged abstinence, although recovery does take place, some neurophysiological changes in the brain persist long-term”, Dr Lee said. Before his tragic death, Liam also revealed how he tried to break free of his additions and had long periods of abstinence. In May 2023, he celebrated ‘100 days sober’ after going to rehab. Liam’s close friend Roger Nores also recently claimed that Liam went through waves of drinking and being sober in the last months of his life.

Roger told the Daily Mail that Liam “did four months sober” at the beginning of 2024, but then relapsed during a trip to the UK in August. When Liam returned to the US, he appeared to go sober again. Roger said he saw Liam a few times and was under the impression that he hadn’t touched a single drug, but sadly, it did not last. On October 16, the day he died, Roger left Liam in the lobby of his hotel at 4.06pm and he claims the star was sober. But over the next hour, Liam’s behaviour became more erratic. The receptionist pleaded with emergency services to come to his aid and said he was “off his head on drugs”.

According to Dr Lee, after a period of abstinence, those who have previously battled with an alcohol addiction, are extra sensitive to the effects of alcohol, and more likely to binge it. These people “seem to experience increased sensitisation to the effects of alcohol” and “this reinforcing effect only makes them want to consume even more alcohol”.

She explained they may have trouble controlling bodily functions, such as their speech and balance, and “bouts of heavy drinking are linked to impulsive behaviour, poor decision-making, recklessness and clashes with the law”.

The new report comes as court judges cleared Liam’s close friend, Roger Nores, of manslaughter charges. The multimillionaire businessman was accused of abandoning the dad-of-one, but now all charges against Roger have been dropped. His lawyer, Rafael Cuneo Libarona, said Roger was “only his friend and had no duty or legal obligation to ensure his safety”.

The three other people who were charged in connection with Liam’s death also had their charges dropped last week, however, Argentinian prosecutors have since confirmed they are considering appealing the decision. Prosecutors say they are “evaluating appeals” for the trio, who were all members of staff at the hotel where Liam was staying and died.

*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.