The cause of death for former One Direction star Liam Payne has been confirmed as "polytrauma" following the opening of an inquest in the UK.
During a hearing at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court held on 17 December, it was revealed that the investigation into the 31-year-old singer’s death may take "some time" due to ongoing legal processes in Argentina.
Payne died after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
Five individuals, including hotel staff and a friend, have been charged in connection with his death.
Hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne's friend Roger Nores face manslaughter charges. Two others, hotel worker Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, have been charged with supplying cocaine.
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", meaning multiple traumatic injuries.
The hearing was also told Payne, who was described as a "singer and entertainer" during the hearing, was formally identified "with the assistance of the funeral directors in Buckinghamshire."
Senior Coroner Crispin Butler said during the hearing: "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."
Payne’s funeral in November was attended by Cheryl Tweedy, the mother of his son Bear, and fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, along with his family and friends.
After his band went on hiatus he launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo, and the track For You with Rita Ora.
Source: Press Association
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