Former One Direction band member Liam Payne has died.
He was 31.
According to CNN, the singer was found dead on Wednesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling 130 feet off a hotel balcony in Argentina.
Buenos Aires publications report that before the incident, authorities were called by Casa Sur Palmero hotel management to report “an aggressive man that could’ve been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
“We were alerted about a person who was in an internal courtyard of Casa Sur Hotel. [First responders] arrived and confirmed the man’s death. We later learned that he was a singer in a musical group,” Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said.
Unfortunately, he had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death. There was no possibility of resuscitation,” he continued.
“Although they were going to await an autopsy report, Crescenti noted that Payne “apparently had a skull fracture, a very serious injury.”
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Payne’s final Snapchat posts showed him happily posing with his partner, Kate Cassidy, as they looked into a mirror.
Further posts showed the popstar enjoying lunch in his hotel room, where he revealed the couple had been ‘waking up at 1 pm every day’ and opting for a Forest Gump costume for Halloween.
Born on August 29, 1993, Payne shot to fame in 2010 on XFactor with former bandmates Hary Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik.
After One Direction went on a permanent hiatus in 2016, the 31-year-old signed with Republic Records and released his debut solo album, LPI.
He had been working on a second album and released a song titled “Teardrops” in March 2024.
Payne leaves behind his six-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, whom he shared with his ex-girlfriend, British singer Cheryl Tweedy.
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In a statement, Payne’s family said this afternoon: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space during this awful time.”
Tributes have also poured in for the popstar with friends, fellow celebrities and fans alike sharing their heartbreak.
Former bandmate Harry Styles’ mum shared a moving tribute on Instagram, writing in the caption, “Just a boy…”
Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before Payne and the rest of One Direction, said he was “lost for words,” describing the singer’s death as “devastating” on Instagram.
Murs said they “always had a good laugh” when they met, mostly sharing about “how annoyingly good his hair always looked.”
“Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams, so to see his life now end so young hits hard. I’m truly gutted and devastated for his family and, of course, his son Bear losing a dad,” he added.
Payne’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry said she was ” in shock” in the wake of the tragic news.
Rapper Ty Dolla Sign said he’d miss Payne, captioning videos and photos on his Instagram story: “Just talked to you two days ago, my guy.”
Award-winning boyband Backstreet Boys said: “Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.”
May he rest in peace.
