British singer Liam Payne tragically died on Wednesday on the spot due to multiple injuries including a skull fracture after plummeting from a third-floor hotel balcony.
Alberto Crescenti, head of Buenos Aires emergency services, disclosed that despite the prompt response, medics could not save the superstar.
Crescenti stated: "Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life. Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death."
Preliminary autopsy results, seen by Clarín, say Payne's death was caused by "multiple trauma" and "internal and external bleeding".
The former One Direction star, 31, died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Local police said the dad-of-one fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel before medics confirmed his death.
According to police in Buenos Aires, officers were initially responding to reports "of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol".
A police operation accompanied the departure of the musician's body from the hotel where he lost his life as fans gathered outside the property.
Police went on to cordon off the area, with forensic investigators in white protective suits and blue gloves seen entering and leaving.
Fans were photographed lighting candles and leaving flowers at the side of the road in an impromptu vigil as they paid tribute to Payne amongst the massive police presence.
The Foreign Office confirmed it is in contact with authorities in Argentina "regarding reports of the death of a British man".
Regarding speculation about possible substance abuse leading to the fall, Crescenti said this morning that Payne had tumbled into the hotel's inner courtyard, opting not to elaborate further amid ongoing speculations of alcohol or drug influence.
He underlined the need for patience as autopsy reports are yet forthcoming, cautioning observers "to not get ahead of ourselves."
Inquiries have revealed that Payne checked himself into the CasaSur Hotel, nestled in Buenos Aires' fashionable Palermo district, solo on October 10. His visit was reportedly motivated by an opportunity to reunite with Niall Horan, his erstwhile One Direction mate who recently performed at the Movistar Arena.
Pathologists are expected to conduct a definitive post-mortem examination today in Buenos Aires, initiating the process to glean insights into the catastrophic events leading to the young musician's untimely passing.
Last night, Payne's body was transferred to a city morgue on Viamonte Street, a mere 15-minute drive southwest from the high-end hotel he had been staying at.
In the hours leading up to his tragic passing, Payne reportedly shared a video on Snapchat, cheerfully stating: "It's a lovely day here in Argentina." The pop star, who is father to seven year old son Bear with ex Cheryl Cole, was visiting the country with girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
However, it's believed she wasn't present in Argentina on the tragic day.
Payne shot to fame as part of the globally successful boy band One Direction, formed in 2010 alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles.
The group, which was assembled after each member auditioned for The X Factor, became one of the biggest pop sensations worldwide, boasting five albums and four world tours before going on an indefinite break in 2016.
Among those paying their respects to Payne was former X Factor host Dermot O'Leary, who penned a heartfelt tribute on Instagram: "I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble."
Olly Murs, another X Factor alum who appeared on the show a year before One Direction, expressed his shock and grief on Instagram, admitting he was "lost for words" and revealing that they shared "the same passions".
Max George from The Wanted also paid tribute, acknowledging how much Payne had supported him following the death of his bandmate Tom Parker due to a brain tumour in March 2022.
In August this year, Payne was revealed as a judge on a fresh Netflix show alongside former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland and The Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger.
The celebs were set to evaluate the efforts to form a band, scrutinising the contestants' chemistry as they formed groups in the musical contest series.