What Is Polytrauma: Liam Payne's Cause of Death and Hotel's Last-minute Room Change Revealed

Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, tragically passed away on 16th October 2024 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His cause of death was confirmed as "polytrauma" during an inquest, a term used to describe multiple severe injuries sustained simultaneously.

Payne's untimely death has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident, including a last-minute hotel room change that may have played a pivotal role.

Understanding Polytrauma

Polytrauma refers to a combination of life-threatening injuries affecting multiple body parts or systems. It often occurs in high-impact scenarios like car accidents or falls from significant heights.

Symptoms can range from visible injuries, such as severe bleeding or fractures, to less apparent issues like memory loss, confusion, and impaired decision-making. Diagnosing polytrauma typically involves X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to assess the full extent of the injuries.

In Payne's case, Dr Roberto Victor Cohen confirmed during the inquest that the singer's death was attributed to multiple traumatic injuries. Senior Coroner Crispin Butler noted that while investigations in Argentina continue, it may take time to fully determine how the injuries were sustained.

The Fatal Room Change

New revelations suggest that Payne's tragic fall might have been linked to a last-minute change in his accommodation. Initial plans had him staying in a first-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel, a choice reportedly approved by his close friend Roger Nores. However, due to availability issues, Payne was moved to a third-floor suite just a day before his arrival, according to The Mirror.

This decision has come under scrutiny, as a fall from the third floor presents a much greater risk of fatal injuries compared to a first-floor fall. Argentinian prosecutors allege that the hotel's actions in moving Payne to a higher floor despite his visibly intoxicated state created an "unacceptable risk to his life."

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Five individuals have been charged in connection with Payne's death. These include hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne's friend Roger Nores, all of whom face manslaughter charges. Two other suspects, a hotel worker and a waiter, are accused of supplying cocaine to the singer.

Judge Laura Bruniard, who is overseeing the case, has criticised Nores for allegedly failing in his duty of care towards Payne. Prosecutors claim Nores abandoned Payne despite knowing his vulnerable state due to substance abuse. Nores has denied these allegations, insisting that he visited Payne three times on the day of his death and left him in good spirits, per The Mirror.

A Troubled Night

Details from an internal hotel memo, written the day before Payne's check-in, have shed light on the confusion surrounding his room allocation. The memo described Nores as Payne's "manager" and documented his preference for a first-floor room.

However, the final decision placed Payne in a third-floor suite, where he later fell to his death. The hotel employee who authored the memo remains unnamed, and the reasons behind the change remain unclear.

Prosecutors have accused the hotel of gross negligence, arguing that moving Payne to a higher floor in his intoxicated state directly contributed to the fatal incident.

Payne's death sent shockwaves through the music industry, with tributes pouring in from fans, friends, and his former One Direction bandmates—Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.

A private funeral held in November in Buckinghamshire saw loved ones, including Cheryl Tweedy, Payne's ex-partner and mother of his son Bear, gather to pay their respects.