World
Autopsy Results Released After Death of Liam Payne
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, tragically lost his life on Wednesday after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old.
The Buenos Aires police reported discovering Payne’s hotel room in a state of disarray, with prescription medication, including clonazepam, and other drugs scattered throughout.
Additionally, a whiskey bottle, lighter, and cellphone were recovered from the courtyard where his body was found.
The Argentine public prosecutor’s office stated that Payne sustained “a series of traumatic injuries and internal bleeding” from the fall. While the exact cause of death is still being investigated, authorities are treating the case as a “suspicious death.”
Evidence suggests that Payne “was going through some kind of substance abuse outbreak” at the time of the incident, and all reports indicate he was alone in his room.
Medical examiners identified 25 injuries on Payne’s body, suggesting that he “did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and that he could have fallen into a state of semi- or total unconsciousness.”
Police responded to an emergency call regarding an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol” shortly after 5:00 PM local time.
A hotel manager described Payne as “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol” and reported that he was “destroying the entire room.”
Authorities confirmed that Payne had “jumped from the balcony of his room,” but did not provide further details regarding whether the jump was intentional.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.