Liam Payne could have fainted before his fatal fall as new evidence backs autopsy findings

New details have emerged surrounding the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who passed away on October 16 after falling from a third-story balcony at Buenos Aires' CasaSur Palermo Hotel.

According to Argentine journalist Paula Varela, security footage captured Payne fainting just moments before the fatal fall, indicating he may have been unconscious during the accident.

New CCTV footage reveals details of Payne's final moments

Varela shared these findings on Socios del Espect?culo, a popular show on Buenos Aires' Canal 13.

She disclosed that CCTV footage from the hotel allegedly shows Payne losing consciousness, supporting a theory that he may have accidentally fallen without any chance to brace himself.

Varela's comments align with Payne's preliminary autopsy results, which suggested the 31-year-old likely "fell in a state of semi or total unconsciousness."

"There is footage that is not being released to the media with the balcony scene where you see that Liam faints, and tragically because of where he is, falls from that balcony," Varela explained.

"If he had been beside his bed, he would have fallen on his bed. It's not that he jumped deliberately. This footage is in the official case files," she added, according to The Mirror.

The security footage is now reportedly in the custody of local officials as part of an ongoing investigation.

Argentine authorities are working to determine if Payne's fall was purely accidental or if any external factors may have contributed.

Liam Payne's death still under investigation

Payne's autopsy has also provided further insight, suggesting that the nature of his injuries implies he did not attempt to protect himself during the fall, a sign that he may have been unconscious.

Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti noted the severity of Payne's injuries, stating that his team could "do absolutely nothing" to revive him due to the "extremely serious" trauma he suffered.

Amid these revelations, sources have raised concerns about the environment Payne encountered during his trip, hinting that exposure to substances could have contributed to the tragic sequence of events.

Preliminary toxicology results indicate traces of "pink cocaine"-a blend of ketamine, MDMA, and methamphetamine-in Payne's system, alongside cocaine, benzodiazepine, and crack.

As Payne's family, friends, and fans worldwide grapple with the loss, the investigation continues to piece together the factors leading up to his untimely death.