Liam Payne: Was Pink Cocaine responsible for his death? Police are investigating

According to media reports, Liam Payne, who died at the age of just 31, allegedly took a drug cocktail called “Pink Cocaine” before a fatal balcony fall in Argentina. Other celebrities such as rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs have also been linked to the dangerous mixture. Among other things, employees of the US anti-drug agency DEA warn about the cocktail and its distribution.

Did Liam Payne do pink cocaine?

A partial autopsy on Payne revealed that the late singer had consumed several substances before his death, citing anonymous sources who were said to have had insight. Accordingly, traces of the drug cocktail mentioned were found, which reportedly usually includes ketamine and methamphetamine and is also known as “Tusi”. However, publication of the completed report is likely to take some time.

There had previously been media reports that the British singer, who became world famous as a member of the boy band One Direction, had not consumed any drugs in the weeks before his death. A supposedly close friend of Payne’s also echoes this: “Liam has been clean for weeks. […] He had received treatment in the United Kingdom and in California.” The deceased had also recently spoken to a new psychiatrist and everyone around him had hoped that he was on the mend.

The friend makes serious allegations: “But when he checked into the hotel, at some point someone there started giving him drugs. Liam had tried really hard to get clean and then they exploited him. These people only care about money . They didn’t care about his health at all.” The police are questioning all hotel employees, according to police sources. A certain person in particular is probably under suspicion.

Prosecutors and DEA warn about the “party drug”

After speaking to police sources and experts, the dangerous drug cocktail appears to be becoming increasingly widespread in New York City. At this point, more and more “pink cocaine” was being seized during arrests in connection with drug-related crimes (You can read more about the dangerous drug here).

A former employee of the US anti-drug agency Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) described the cocktail as a kind of “cheap party drug”. The mix is ​​apparently also associated with the rapper Sean Combs in the drug scene in the metropolis. Sources from the New York City Police Department said that the cocktail was also called “Diddy Drug” on the street. “Pink Cocaine” was reportedly mentioned in one and was arrested in September.

The prosecutor’s office responsible for special drug offenses in New York City first became aware of the mixture in July 2023. Prosecutor Bridget Brennan warned that people with drug experience may believe they are taking cocaine, but this is rarely included in the mixture, the exact composition of which is usually unknown. The assumption is dangerous because it is impossible to estimate what effect the drug cocktail will have. “A person who thinks they’re getting cocaine and ends up getting a pretty strong dose of ketamine can be completely knocked out,” Brennan said. It is not the expected effect and you may not be prepared for it.

“This drug is increasingly being mixed with fentanyl,” says Frank Tarentino, a DEA agent from New York. According to the DEA, depending on the person, taking as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal. In this report, Brennan speaks of a current “very dangerous and deadly” drug market situation.

There is some speculation that Payne may have suffered from hallucinations before his death. When asked, ex-basketball professional Lamar Odom explains that he has probably already used the drug: “I think so. I’ve taken a lot of things.” Khloé Kardashian’s ex-husband, who struggled with drugs for a long time, explains: “Drugs can make you hallucinate.” If Payne was in such a condition, Odom says there’s no telling what could have happened. He himself “heard voices” because of his consumption at the time and suffered from a certain paranoia.

Information and advice on drugs in Germany includes, among other things, an “Addiction & Drug Hotline”. The hotline can be reached on 01806 313031 and costs 0.20 euros per call.