Topline
Liam Payne, an English singer who rose to fame as a member of boy-band One Direction, died on Wednesday after falling from his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Liam Payne arrives at the “All Of Those Voices” UK Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on March … [+] 16, 2023 in London, England.
WireImage
Key Facts
The Buenos Aires police issued a statement saying Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, in the Argentinian capital which caused him “extremely serious injuries” and was declared dead on the spot by medics.
A local official cited by the Associated Press earlier claimed Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room.”
Police were reportedly rushed to the scene just after 5 p.m. local time after the hotel’s manager placed an emergency 911 call complaining about a guest “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol…destroying the entire room,” the AP report added
According to BBC, the manager also expressed concern that the guest “has a balcony, and we are afraid they might do something to put their life at risk.”
Local officials said they have launched an investigation into the death and the BBC reported that the UK Foreign office is in touch with Argentinian authorities on the matter.
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How Fans And Musicians Have Reacted To News Of Payne’s Death?
Other members of One Direction have not yet publicly commented on Payne’s death. Harry Style’s mother, Anne Twist, appeared to mourn the singers death by posting an image of the broken heart on her Instagram with the text “Just a boy.” Waliyha Malik, the sister of former band member Zayn, also shared several images of the singer with her brother in her Instagram story, with the caption “heartbroken.” One Direction fans mourned Payne’s death on social media while a large group gathered outside the Casa Sur Hotel to set up a vigil for the musician and sang One Direction songs.
Fans of One Direction and Liam Payne gathered outside the hotel to light candles at an improvised … [+] altar after British musician death on Wednesday night.
Anadolu via Getty Images
The group of fans gathered outside the hotel could be heard singing One Direction songs.
Anadolu via Getty Images
Fans of British singer Liam Payne cry next to the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires.
AFP via Getty Images
One Direction fans also mourned Payne’s death on social media.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Background
Payne was a member of One Direction—a band put together by judges on the British show “The X Factor” in 2010—along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. They did not win the season, but the group blew up after the show and went on to have stadium tours and a number of pop hits including “Story of My Life” and “Best Song Ever.” The band announced it would take a temporary hiatus in 2015, though Malik had left earlier that year. Payne then pursued a solo career and released his first solo album, LP1, in 2019, before continuing to make pop, hip-hop, Latin, and electronic music. Payne talked about his struggle with addiction in recent years, and said he suffered from suicidal thoughts while he a member of One Direction. In a 2023 YouTube video Payne said he spend 100 days in rehabilitation and had “more of a grip on life and everything that was getting away from me” after being sober. Payne had four charting songs and one Billboard Top 10 hit in his solo career, 2017’s “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo. He released his most recent song, “Teardrops,” earlier this year. Payne also had a child in 2017 with Cheryl Cole.
Further Reading
CNNLiam Payne, former One Direction member, dead at 31 | CNNABC NewsFormer One Direction star Liam Payne dies after fall from hotel in Argentina: Police
