“Liam Payne Died Without a Will — £24.3m Estate Left in Limbo as Shocking Court Documents Reveal ‘Polytrauma’ and Drug Traces”

Former One Direction star Liam Payne left behind a multimillion-pound fortune and no will, according to newly released court documents. The singer, who tragically died at the age of 31 in October last year, had a net estate valued at just over £24.2 million.

Payne fell from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on 16 October 2024. A postmortem confirmed the cause of death as “polytrauma” — extensive injuries resulting in both internal and external bleeding. Toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of death.

The documents, which include Letters of Administration, state that the gross value of Payne’s estate is £28,594,888, with a net value of £24,279,728 after debts and expenses were settled.

Due to the absence of a will, Payne’s former partner Cheryl, 41, has been appointed as one of the legal administrators of his estate. Cheryl, a former member of Girls Aloud and the mother of their six-year-old son Bear, will now oversee Payne’s money, assets, and property. Under UK intestacy laws, surviving children have the primary claim to an estate when there is no will, meaning the fortune could ultimately be placed in trust for Bear.

Music industry lawyer Richard Mark Bray has also been named as an administrator alongside Cheryl.

Manslaughter charges initially brought against Payne’s friend, Rogelio “Roger” Nores, hotel operator Gilda Martin, and head of reception Esteban Grassi were dismissed in February after a successful appeal. However, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death is ongoing.

Two hotel workers, employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, are still facing criminal prosecution in Argentina. Both were charged in December with allegedly supplying Payne with drugs — an offence that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison under Argentine law.

In the months since his death, Payne’s family has expressed frustration with some media coverage. In a statement earlier this year, they accused certain outlets of causing “indescribable damage” and urged for sensitivity in reporting on the circumstances surrounding the singer’s passing.

Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, also spoke publicly about her grief, saying she is “still working on accepting” his death.

The music industry and fans alike paid tribute to the late star during the Brit Awards in March. A video montage was shown, including emotional moments from Payne’s time on The X Factor, his years with One Direction, and intimate family clips.

Payne rose to fame in 2010 as part of the chart-topping boy band One Direction, who became global sensations before taking an indefinite hiatus in 2016. He later pursued a solo career and had released multiple singles and an album before his untimely death.

Despite his fame and success, Payne’s unexpected passing and lack of estate planning have sparked renewed conversations around the importance of wills — especially among young celebrities.