Liam Payne's cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy report

Preliminary autopsy findings revealed what led to the sudden passing of former One Direction member Liam Payne.

In a press release, the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office No. 16 in Argentina announced that the singer died due to polytraumism or several traumatic injuries and internal and external hemorrhage.

Authorities said Payne sustained the injuries after falling from his hotel window in Buenos Aires. "The forensic experts reported that the 25 injuries described in the autopsy are aligned with those caused by a fall from a height," they said. "They also pointed out that the head injuries were sufficient to cause death, while the internal and external hemorrhages in the skull, thorax, abdomen and limbs contributed to the mechanism of death."

According to the statement, the circumstances of the case are being looked into as a "questionable death," but preliminary information shows that Payne "was alone when the fall occurred, and was going through some type of outbreak from substance abuse." No evidence of foul play was found, they noted, adding that the way Payne landed on the ground "did not adopt a reflex posture to protect himself."

Citing authorities, several media outlets reported on Thursday, Oct. 17 that Payne was found dead after the fall. He was 31.

He had suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall," the head of the city's SAME emergency medical service, Alberto Crescenti, told local television, adding "there was no possibility of resuscitation." He also appeared to have suffered a fracture at the base of his skull from the fall Crescenti said was "about 13 or 14 meters" (about 43 or 46 feet).

Hours before his passing, Payne posted now-deleted videos as story entries on the messaging platform Snapchat.

As spotted by multiple media outlets like Page Six, the singer shared a selfie video with a text caption that read, "Lovely day in Argentina," followed by a red heart emoji. He was seen spending time with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy. In another story, he wrote, "Quality time," plus a smiling face with hearts emoji. It's unclear whether the stories were posted in real-time or late.

Payne was part of One Direction along with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan. It was formed in 2010 and became known for various hits such as What Makes You Beautiful, Little Things, and Best Song Ever, among others.