Liam Payne death: Investigators 'focusing on Dove soap box' as key clue in hotel tragedy probe

A box of soap could prove to be a key clue in the investigation into the shock death of Liam Payne.

A new report has suggested officials investigating the death of the One Direction star - who fell from a balcony last week in Buenos Aires, Argentina - believe drugs may have been smuggled to the star via a soap box. Following the singer's death at the age of 31, images from the hotel room he stayed in leaked online.

One image showed foil and other paraphernalia that is often linked to the use of drugs. However, a box of soap was also visible in one image, which police in Argentina are claiming could have concealed illegal produce.

READ MORE - Liam Payne's death investigation takes new turn as police demand access to hotel computers

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The new update comes after reports suggested police could make arrests in connection to the star's death. It has previously been reported that police entered the hotel room of the chart-topping star to seize items as evidence.

Now TMZ - who sparked controversy by publishing images of the singer's body after his fatal fall - have reported a soap box is being considered a key piece of evidence. The outlet reports: "Authorities are now investigating the possibility a hotel employee delivered drugs to Liam, which has them focusing on a Dove soap box found in the room, and seen very clearly in a photograph taken after Liam's deadly fall."

The outlet added: "The operating theory is the soap box might have been used to secretly hand-off the drugs to Liam." Liam's death shocked the music world when he fell to his death on Wednesday 16 October.

His bandmates in One Direction shared heartbreaking tributes following the news of his death. Harry Styles wrote, as part of a touching statement: "His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it." Zayn Malik, who had a fractured friendship with the singer, wrote: "I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.

"When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved. Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f**ks about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it."

Niall Horan penned: "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure. All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness."

Louis Tomlinson wrote: "I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be."

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