Liam Payne's blood alcohol levels at time of death revealed

26 February 2025, 10:25 | Updated: 26 February 2025, 10:28

Liam Payne died in October
Liam Payne died in October. Picture: Getty

By Emma Soteriou

Liam Payne's blood alcohol levels at the time of his death have been revealed.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The One Direction star died in October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

His cause of death was determined to be "polytrauma" - multiple injuries from the fall.

Traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant were found in his body when he fell from the balcony.

Payne had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of "up to 2.7 grams per litre in his blood", according to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office No 14.

Those levels are considered extremely high, with medical experts warning that a BAC that high can lead to confusion, disorientation, and dizziness.

A BAC above 0.3 percent increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, while anything above 0.4 per cent can be potentially fatal, according to Alcohol.org.

It is more than three times the legal driving limit in the UK (0.08 per cent).

Read more: Liam Payne death charges against friend Roger Nores and two hotel workers dropped

Read more: One Direction star Liam Payne was 'sectioned' after near-fatal overdose months before death, close friend claims

Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zane Malik and Niall Horan of 'One Direction' together with Simon Cowell
Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zane Malik and Niall Horan of 'One Direction' together with Simon Cowell. Picture: Getty

The findings come after manslaughter charges over Payne's death were dropped against his friend Roger Nores and two hotel workers.

Rogelio "Roger" Nores, hotel operator Gilda Martin, and head of reception Esteban Grassi had all been charged in connection with the star’s death at the Casa Sur Hotel last year.

Two other men, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, were also charged with supplying cocaine to the singer.

"Glad this is finally over,” Nores told Rolling Stone after charges were dropped.

"I'm happy I'm now going to be able to travel to the UK and say goodbye to my friend."

Nores said he set Payne up with a team of medical professionals in a bid to help fight his addiction struggles.

"He knew he needed help," he said.

"He did four months sober. Liam then began to go to the gym every day. He was really looking after himself.

"And it wasn't easy. He required 24-hour attention. Anyone who's looked after an addict knows that it isn't straightforward.

"It was draining, but I wanted to do it - that's what friends are for. After four months, I truly believed he had turned a corner."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The girl entered the river close to Barge House Causeway, near London City Airport. (stock image)

Missing girl, 11, 'was paddling when she fell in River Thames' - as 'extensive search' continues

Weeks’ worth of rubbish has piled up on the streets across Birmingham.

Birmingham declares major incident over bin strikes as 17,000 tonnes of rubbish piles up and rats run riot

Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking victim who claimed Prince Andrew sexually abused her given 'four days to live' by doctors

Jeffrey Epstein victim and Prince Andrew accuser issues fresh statement after being given 'four days to live'

Former GCHQ staff member, Hasaan Arshad, leaving the Old Bailey.

Former GCHQ intern admits taking top secret data home in risk to national security

President of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) parliamentary group Marine Le Pen

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen vows to fight election ban after embezzlement conviction

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

White House says 'Signal chat case is closed' insisting issue has been 'dealt with'

Gary Glitter facing bankruptcy after paedophile refuses to pay damages to victim he raped when she was 12

Gary Glitter facing bankruptcy after paedophile refuses to pay damages to victim he raped when she was 12

ustice Secretary Shabana Mahmood

Sentencing Council to delay 'two-tier' guidelines after backlash

A Taliban security personnel stands guard.

Taliban ask Russia to lift ban on terrorist organisation

Exclusive
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer holds a roundtable meeting at Number 10 Downing Street in London, Monday March 31, 2025. (Jack Taylor/Pool Photo via AP)

Sir Keir Starmer suggests to LBC people who abused student visas to come to UK could face deportation

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) shakes hands with Finland's President Alexander Stubb

'The UK is back': Finnish president praises Starmer's leadership announcing two nations are 'tied hip-to-hip on Nato'

Aerial photograph of London City Airport looking towards Canary Wharf

'Extensive search' operation underway after girl, 11, falls into River Thames

Weeks’ worth of rubbish has piled up on the streets across Birmingham.

City council declares 'major incident' after Birmingham bin strikes cause chaos amid mounting rubbish piles

Passengers arriving at the Gare du Nord, Paris on a Eurostar train from St. Pancras, London; Gare du Nord train station, Paris France

Eurostar rivals 'given the green light' to run trains through Channel Tunnel

A woman who was discovered in the River Mersey last year has been identified through extensive investigation - including facial reconstruction technology.

Family pays tribute to mum identified by facial reconstruction a year after body found in River Mersey

Club house covered in red paint as members of group Palestine action caused damage to the Trump owned site of Trump Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland.

Man, 33, appears in court accused of maliciously damaging Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course