Former One Direction member Liam Payne was tragically found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room, Argentine authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement, police in the capital revealed that they had been called to the hotel in the Palermo district after being alerted to an “aggressive man” suspected of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The hotel manager reported hearing a loud noise, and upon arrival, officers discovered Payne had fallen from his balcony. Emergency responders confirmed the death of the 31-year-old British singer, whose body was found in the hotel’s inner courtyard.
“I’m in disbelief. Liam was always so kind,” said American singer Charlie Puth on Instagram. “He was one of the first big artists I worked with. I can’t comprehend that he’s gone.”
Music outlets such as MTV, Spotify, and the BRIT Awards all shared messages of sorrow, offering condolences to Payne’s family and loved ones.
Payne, who welcomed a son named Bear with British TV personality Cheryl in 2017, had struggled with mental health issues and had spoken openly about using alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame.
Neither Republic Records, Payne’s label, nor Universal Music Group could immediately be reached for a statement.
According to audio recordings obtained by the Buenos Aires security ministry, hotel staff had urgently called for help, reporting a guest in an intoxicated state. “He’s conscious, but he’s destroying the room. We need help immediately because there’s a balcony, and his life is at risk,” one worker warned.
Payne’s body was transported to the morgue as fans gathered outside the hotel, many tearfully hugging one another. Some, overcome with emotion, applauded in tribute to the singer.
Liam Payne rose to fame with the boy band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, after finishing third in the British talent show *The X Factor* in 2010. The group, which disbanded in 2016, became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, with over 70 million records sold and numerous awards to their name. Entertainment Weekly ranked them the third-best boy band in 2024.
Despite their global success, Payne had been open about his struggles, including battles with alcohol and the mental strain of fame. In a video posted last year on his YouTube channel, Payne shared his hopes of creating new music, reconnecting with family, and overcoming his challenges. He thanked his supporters for standing by him.
Just two weeks prior, Payne attended a concert in Buenos Aires, where his former bandmate Niall Horan was performing as part of a Latin American tour. Payne had shared videos of their time together with fans.
Fans and admirers gathered outside the hotel, reflecting on the profound impact Payne and One Direction had on their lives. One fan, 25-year-old Yamila Zacarias, recalled how being a One Direction fan was an important part of her youth. “He meant so much to me,” she said. “This is the only time I could applaud him.”
Another fan, Violeta Antier, rushed to the hotel after hearing the news from her sister. “I saw him two weeks ago at Niall’s concert. He was fine,” she said, visibly emotional.
Earlier that day, Payne had posted on Snapchat about his time in Argentina, mentioning horse riding, polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.
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