Liam Payne Was 'Preyed On' By Drug Dealers After Being 'Clean For Weeks,' Close Friend Claims

A close friend of Liam Payne has claimed that the singer was "preyed" on by drug dealers during his ill-fated trip to Argentina.

The former One Direction artist had reportedly been clean for a while before the trip, but "someone there started giving him drugs."

Following Liam Payne's death, an initial toxicology report revealed that he was exposed to cocaine, with several other prescription tablets and drug paraphernalia discovered in the suite where he was lodged.

As the world continues to mourn the death of Payne, a close friend of the singer has revealed that the singer was on a sobriety journey.

According to the Daily Mail, the source shared, "Liam had been clean for weeks. He had been to rehab more than once. He had had treatment in the UK and in California, and he had recently been taken on by a new psychiatrist in Florida. Everyone around Liam hoped that he was on the path to recovery."

However, when Payne traveled to Argentina to renew his USA visa, things quickly spiraled after some dealers at the location "preyed" on him.

The source continued, "Liam was 100 percent sober. But when he checked in at the hotel, at some point, someone there started giving him drugs."

They continued, "Liam had tried really hard to get clean, then they preyed on him. These people only care about money. They didn't care about his health."

On October 16, Payne was confirmed to have died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires.

His autopsy has since concluded that the multiple traumatic injuries that he sustained after the fall were what caused his death.

At the moment, several of the staff from the hotel are being investigated by the authorities in connection with how the singer accessed the drugs he took before his death.

"One of the guys was working in the cleaning department. After Liam died, they noticed that one taxi was sent to the cleaner's home address," said Payne's friend. "The hotel manager asked him why the taxi had gone to his home and when he couldn't give an explanation he was fired."

They added, "Liam was doing everything to stay clean, but as soon as he got to the hotel, these people were offering him alcohol and drugs."

According to TMZ, Payne might have ingested "pink cocaine," a mixture of methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA, before his death. The outlet also mentioned that crack cocaine and benzodiazepine were also among the drugs that were given to him.

Still, the amount of drugs he had in his body remains unclear as full toxicology reports are still being processed. The results are expected to be out within three weeks.

At the time of Payne's death, several drug-related items were also found in his room after police were called in. This includes drugs discovered in a Dove soap box hidden by the cleaner and the other member of staff implicated in the matter.

It is said that the drugs Payne might have been supplied by a man living in the city of Lomas de Zamora, as there was a taxi booked in the singer's name for that location.

According to reports, police arrived at the hotel after the manager called that they had a guest "overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol."

It was also mentioned that the "Teardrops" singer was tearing his room apart and breaking things up.

The initial report on his death revealed the reason behind this strange behavior, linking it with "some kind of breakdown as a result of substance abuse," per Today.

Foul play was also ruled as "all the injuries on the body were vital and produced at the same time, and that no injuries were observed that could suggest the intervention of third parties."

The singer also did not "adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself" and most likely fell to his death when he was in a "state of semi or total unconsciousness."

After Payne's death, his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, shared a short and emotional tribute to him, vowing always to love him and keep his memory alive.

She made a post on her Instagram Stories last week Friday to share her message to the late singer, starting by thanking fans "for all of the kind words and love that has been sent my way."

"I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days has felt real," Cassidy continued. "I ask and pray that you'll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private."

Cassidy added, "Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you, Liam."

Payne's family also spoke about the singer's death, stating: "Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we'll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul."

They continued, per the BBC, "We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."