Liam Payne, former member and star of the world-famous British-Irish band One Direction, tragically passed away at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Local authorities confirmed his death on Wednesday after emergency services responded to reports of a man exhibiting erratic behavior in the exclusive neighborhood of Palermo. According to the director of the Buenos Aires Emergency Medical Services (SAME), Alberto Crescenti, Payne's injuries from the fall were “very serious” and “incompatible with life,” which caused his immediate death at the scene, reports ABCNews.
Emergency services arrived at the scene at approximately 5:11 p.m. local time after receiving a 911 call about an aggressive man suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, AFP reported. Crescenti reported that Payne appeared to have suffered a fracture to the base of his skull from the fall and had fallen 13 to 14 meters (about 42 to 45 feet) into the hotel's interior courtyard, and attempts to save him were futile.
The 31-year-old singer was pronounced dead at the scene and an autopsy is expected to further clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was in contact with Argentine authorities about the incident, but withheld further details. In a statement obtained by the BBC, local police said they were initially called to deal with a disturbance before discovering Payne's body in the yard.
Final moments
In the days before his tragic death, Payne had been enjoying his stay in Argentina, attending his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan's concert on October 2.
Social media posts showed Payne enjoying his stay in Buenos Aires, and one of his latest Snapchat videos captured a moment of joy as he described a “beautiful day” in Argentina. However, things allegedly took a dark turn when his behavior became erratic, culminating in the devastating incident at the CasaSur Hotel.
Article page with financial support promotion Payne's Snapchat post hours before his death
Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who had traveled with him, reportedly left Argentina on October 14, just days before his tragic fall. The British singer, however, stayed behind, and during his solo stay, hotel staff saw him smashing his laptop and acting strangely, raising concerns that ultimately resulted in the 911 call, TMZ has gathered. News.
Following the news of Payne's death, tributes have poured in from fans and celebrities. Other musicians, including British singer Olly Murs, expressed their shock and sadness.
In a live report, the BBC claimed that fans gathered outside the Casa Sur hotel, where Liam Payne was found dead, for an impromptu vigil. The visibly emotional mourners hugged each other while lighting candles and softly singing One Direction songs in tribute to the late singer. The crowd held a moment of silence before bursting into applause.
Payne's death has left a significant void in the music world, as he was considered a key songwriter in One Direction and a beloved figure among millions of fans around the world.
An investigation is underway to determine whether his fall was accidental or intentional. Argentine police have not yet provided details about Payne's mental state at the time and an autopsy is expected to offer more clarity on the exact cause of death.
The band One Direction performing. Photo credit_ CNN Entertainment Liam Payne
Payne first rose to fame as a member of One Direction, the British-Irish boyband formed on The X Factor in 2010.
Along with his bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan, Payne rose to global stardom. The band released five albums, including Up All Night (2011) and Midnight Memories (2013). Payne had been on The X Factor twice before striking gold. Known for their electrifying performances, they sold out stadiums around the world during their tours.
The group, which was active for over 10 years, amassed a worldwide fan base, sold out stadiums, and achieved over a billion views on YouTube, cementing them as one of the most successful and influential boy bands of their time. time. The musical group also scored four number one albums in the UK and four number one singles before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2015.
Fans have gathered on the street near the hotel. Photo credit_ AFP
After One Direction, Late Payne launched a solo career with his 2017 debut single, “Strip That Down,” which peaked at number three on the UK charts. His debut album, LP1, followed in 2019. The singer also found success with his collaboration with Rita Ora on “For You” for the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.
Despite his professional success, Payne publicly struggled with personal issues, including battles with substance abuse.
In 2021, he opened up about his addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs, and revealed that he had “severe” suicidal thoughts during One Direction's peak of fame. Payne entered rehab in Louisiana in 2022, and by 2023, he shared that he had been sober for six months.