Liam Payne friends feared for his life amid drug battle: ‘Ending everyone prayed would not happen’
People in Liam Payne’s circle were desperately worried about him in the months before his death — and feared his drug addiction would end in tragedy, multiple sources tell Page Six.
The former One Direction singer had struggled before his tragic death in Argentina last week, as one music industry source who had worked with him told us: “This is the ending everyone prayed would not happen, but worried would come to pass.”
Payne, 31, spiraled while living away in Florida, away from friends and family, and was pushed to go back on the road shortly after leaving rehab, as Page Six reported.
The singer’s initial toxicology report showed he had a cocktail of drugs — including crack and “pink cocaine” — in his system at the time of his death, according to reports Monday.
But his struggles were common knowledge to loved ones and people who had worked with him in both One Direction and on “The X Factor,” the UK TV show where he found fame.
HIs sister Nicola posted a tribute on Instagram Monday, writing, “You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy. You have always shown kindness to everyone you met and it shows with just how many people have confirmed what we always knew!”
Payne had been persuaded to go to rehab just weeks ago in an attempt to get his life back on track, but left after only two days.
Payne checked into The Priory, an addiction and mental health clinic in London, in late July.
The Sun reported that the singer signed up to a 28-day addiction therapy program to finally get well for his son Bear, 7, and his family. This was confirmed by Page Six.
However, we are told Payne barely left his room at the $6,400-a-night center and exited after just 48 hours.
Sources says reports claiming Payne was only told he had been dropped by his record label, Universal, and his publicist days before his death are wrong. Instead, we are told he found out more than a month ago.
Another senior music source added, “Universal execs were the ones uncomfortable with Liam going on the road and rushing back into the limelight after rehab.”
Outside of the label, Payne was working with young staffers pushing him to go back on tour right after his early rehab departure. He parted ways with his manager before his death, Page Six is told.
ABC News reported that a partial autopsy found substances including cocaine, crack and benzodiazepine, which is a depressant, in Payne’s body when he fell to his death from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 16.
The test also found “pink cocaine,” a recreational drug that typically mixes methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and others, per the outlet.
His body will be flown home with his grieving father, Geoff Payne, once the autopsy is finished.
