When news broke that Liam Payne had fallen from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, the world stopped. Honestly, it didn't feel real. We all grew up with One Direction, and seeing a 31-year-old father lose his life in such a chaotic way was a massive gut punch. But as the shock subsided, the questions started rolling in. Specifically, everyone wanted to know: what drugs was Liam Payne on when he fell at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel?
The initial reports were messy. In the age of social media, rumors fly faster than facts. However, the official toxicology results from Argentina’s Public Prosecutor’s Office eventually painted a heartbreakingly clear picture of a man in the middle of a total substance-induced breakdown. It wasn't just one thing. It was a cocktail of substances that arguably left him in a state where he didn't even know where he was.
The Toxic "Pink Cocaine" Mystery
One of the biggest headlines to come out of the investigation was the presence of something called "pink cocaine." You might have seen it all over TikTok or news snippets.
Despite the name, pink cocaine—often called "tusi" on the street—usually contains zero actual cocaine. It’s a designer drug mix. Investigators found that Liam had traces of this concoction in his system, which is typically a wildly unpredictable blend of methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA. Sometimes it’s even laced with caffeine or benzodiazepines.
Imagine that for a second. You have a stimulant like meth fighting against a dissociative like ketamine. It creates a "push-pull" effect on the brain. The result isn't just a high; it's often a complete detachment from reality. Experts from the National Capital Poison Center note that because these mixes are "homemade" by dealers, the user never really knows the dosage of each ingredient.
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What else was in the mix?
Beyond the pink powder, the official reports confirmed several other substances. It was a poly-drug situation.
- Cocaine and Crack: Standard cocaine metabolites (like benzoylecgonine) were present.
- Benzodiazepines: Specifically, police found a blister pack of clonazepam (Klonopin) in his room.
- Alcohol: His blood alcohol level was reportedly 0.27%. That is more than three times the legal driving limit in the UK and the US.
- Antidepressants: Traces of sertraline (Zoloft) were also found.
The "Psychotic Episode" at CasaSur
The hotel manager's 911 call is chilling to listen to now. He described a guest who was "breaking everything in the room." When police arrived, the scene was pure chaos. Photos leaked to local media showed a smashed television screen and white powder scattered across a desk next to a burnt aluminum foil top.
The prosecution in Argentina eventually concluded that Payne was likely in a state of "semi or total unconsciousness" when he fell. This is a crucial detail. It means this wasn't necessarily a conscious choice.
The 25 injuries found on his body—including internal and external hemorrhaging—showed no "defensive" marks. Usually, if a person is conscious while falling, they instinctively put their hands out to break the fall. Liam didn't do that. It suggests he was already "out of it" before he even went over the railing.
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Who was involved?
This wasn't just a solo tragedy. The Argentine authorities didn't just close the book; they looked for who supplied the drugs. In late 2024, several people were charged.
A friend who was staying with him (initially identified as Roger Nores) and two hotel employees were caught up in the legal dragnet. While some charges were later dropped or modified, the focus remained on Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, who were accused of being the primary suppliers of the cocaine.
It highlights a dark reality of celebrity life. Often, when stars are at their lowest, there are people willing to profit off that downward spiral rather than calling for help.
Breaking Down the "Tusi" Trend
We need to talk about why pink cocaine is so dangerous. It's often marketed as a "luxury drug" in Ibiza and Latin American club scenes. Because it's dyed pink (usually with food coloring), it looks less threatening.
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It's not.
The ketamine in it can cause a "K-hole," where you feel completely separated from your body. Pair that with the paranoia that comes from high doses of cocaine or meth, and you have a recipe for a psychotic break. The Argentina Public Prosecutor's Office explicitly used the term "substance-induced psychotic episode" to describe Liam's final moments.
Moving Forward and Real Insights
If there is anything to take away from this tragedy, it’s the lethal danger of "polysubstance use." Mixing depressants like alcohol and benzos with high-intensity stimulants is a game of Russian roulette.
If you or someone you know is struggling with similar patterns, here are a few actual steps to take:
- Test, Don't Guess: In many cities, harm reduction centers offer test strips (especially for fentanyl, which is increasingly found in pink cocaine).
- The "Never Use Alone" Rule: Most fatal accidents happen when no one is there to call 911.
- Recognize the "Crash": The depression following a "tusi" or crack high is profound. This is often when the most "impulsive" and dangerous decisions are made.
Liam Payne’s story didn’t have to end this way. It serves as a stark, painful reminder that behind the fame and the platinum records, these are real people battling very real, very physical addictions.