‘Pink cocaine’ in Liam Payne’s toxicology report, following Argentina hotel death

The former One Direction singer had traces of a dangerous new party drug in his system when he plunged to his death, as his sister reveals the cruel way she heard the news.

Liam Payne had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he plunged to his death from a hotel balcony, including a dangerous new party drug called “pink cocaine”.

The former One Direction singer died aged 31, when he fell from the third floor of the luxury Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday last week.

A toxicology report completed as part of the autopsy revealed traces of pink cocaine - a combination of methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA - in his system, as well as

cocaine and benzodiazepine, as local authorities continue their search for his drug dealer.

Police also found an improvised aluminium pipe used to smoke crack cocaine in his suite.

The English pop star died instantly, according to the post mortem, suffering multiple injuries as he fell almost 14m from the balcony onto the concrete footpath below.

Singer Liam Payne had multiple drugs in his system when he died. Picture: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Fans mourn his passing outside the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Picture: Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty Images

It comes as the star’s sister, Nicola Payne, has revealed the cruel way she heard the news - finding out about her younger sibling’s death via a news alert sent to her phone.

“I have spent days hoping that it was a mistake and somebody has got it wrong. You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy,” she wrote in a heart-wrenching message shared on Instagram.

“You led your life with a motto of why bother doing something unless you are brilliant at it, and Liam you were certainly brilliant at everything you did!! Unfortunately this cruel world is always to quick to judge someone from a few 5 second clips, they even think it entitles them to be able to speak like they know you... We knew you and we loved you.”

She finished by saying, “I hope you have finally found peace up there”.

Payne (second from left) with former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson in New York City in 2016. Picture: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

A grieving Simon Cowell, who managed the band, didn’t participate in Britain’s Got Talent auditions on the weekend. Picture: Cameron Smith/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell - the music mogul who plucked Payne and his One Direction band members from obscurity - has made his first public appearance since the tragedy.

The former X Factor judge also posted a tribute to the talented singer on social media.

“Liam I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you,” he wrote.

Cowell wrote that Payne came to see him last year, just to reminisce about the good times they had together, and commented on how proud he was to be a father.

“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have... And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”

Originally published as ‘Pink cocaine’ in Liam Payne’s toxicology report, following Argentina hotel death