A former member of the globally acclaimed British boy band One Direction, Liam Payne, has sadly passed away at the age of 31. He fell from the balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred from the hotel’s third floor, resulting in “extremely serious injuries.” Unfortunately, emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene.
According to the Associated Press, the hotel manager reported that Payne appeared “overwhelmed with alcohol” and was behaving aggressively prior to the fall, as revealed in a 911 call made shortly before the tragedy. The manager noted that Payne was causing damage to his hotel room and that the presence of a balcony posed a potential risk given his erratic behavior.
Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, confirmed that Payne had “jumped from the balcony of his room.” An investigation is currently underway, and an autopsy will be performed to determine the precise circumstances surrounding his death, as stated by Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system.
Previously, Liam had been candid about his battles with alcoholism. In July 2023, he shared a YouTube video announcing his six months of sobriety following treatment. As of now, his representatives have not commented on this tragic incident.
In the wake of this heartbreaking news, fans of One Direction gathered outside the Casa Sur Hotel to express their grief. A makeshift memorial featuring candles and flowers quickly emerged, honoring the singer who had captured the hearts of millions.
The music world now mourns the loss of a cherished star, gone far too soon.