‘Substance abuse episode’

In the internal courtyard where Payne was found, authorities recovered a whiskey bottle, lighter and cellphone, and his hotel room was “in complete disarray,” with “various items broken.”

Investigators report that packs of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, energy supplements and other over-the-counter drugs, were found among his belongings, leading to the belief that the star “was going through some kind of substance abuse episode.”

The Associated Press reports that “prosecutors described Payne’s case as ‘suspicious,’ citing the likelihood that the star had been drinking alcohol and taking drugs,” and authorities ordered a toxicology report.

“Everything indicates that the musician was alone when the fall occurred,” the prosecutor’s office said. Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy joined him for Horan’s concert but returned days before to Florida without him.

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