Police still looking for two women who were with the singer in the hotel: we already know this about the death of Liam Payne

Payne (31) died on Wednesday in Argentina after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires. He attended a concert by his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan on October 2. An unexpected reunion, because Payne himself said in a video on social media that it had been a long time since they had heard each other. “We have a lot to talk about, I would like to clear a few things up with the boy. No bad feelings or anything, just, we need to talk.”

Shortly before his death, he posted another video on Snapchat about his stay in Argentina. He talked about riding horses, playing polo, and how he was looking forward to going back home and seeing his dog. “It’s a beautiful day here in Argentina,” he said in the video.

According to entertainment site TMZ, Payne arrived in Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy at the end of September, but she left on October 14. He then checked into the Casa Sur hotel. According to various media, he allegedly misbehaved there on Wednesday afternoon: he smashed his laptop in the hotel lobby and was carried back to his room.

Afterwards, a hotel employee reportedly called the police to request urgent help for a guest who was “overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol.” “When he is conscious, he destroys the whole room, you have to send someone,” it said. The employee said the guest’s life was in danger because his room had a balcony.

A hotel guest heard “a lot of noise, banging and violent noises,” followed by “a scream.” Shortly afterwards, the emergency services were called a second time after it emerged that a guest had fallen from the balcony of his hotel room on the third floor, a fall of reportedly about 12 to 13 meters. Pablo Policicchio, the spokesman for Buenos Aires’ security ministry, stated categorically that Payne “jumped from the balcony of his room.” He said police were sent to the hotel after an emergency call about an “aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol”. Upon arrival, the police heard a distinctive noise in the courtyard of the hotel and the body was found there.

The head of the emergency service, Alberto Crescenti, said on a local television channel that emergency services received a second call for the Casa Sur hotel, in the Palermo district, at 5:04 pm local time (10:04 pm in Belgium). When emergency services arrived seven minutes later, the victim showed serious injuries and only his death could be confirmed. “There was no longer any possibility of resuscitation.”

Skull fracture

Payne’s body was removed about three hours after his fall. Initial results of an autopsy show that the cause of death was a fall from the third floor. According to a police source, a skull fracture and various external and internal bleeding are consistent with injuries that could have been caused by a fall from a greater height. Also, the injuries are serious enough to cause his death. However, according to a preliminary report from Argentine authorities, it is “unclear whether the fall was a deliberate act or an accident.”

The prosecutor’s office reports that Payne may have been semi-conscious or completely unconscious when he fell. An investigation is also underway into the “possible involvement of third parties in the events that preceded it.” In that context, the police are looking for two “important witnesses” who spent time with the British singer on Wednesday afternoon. At the same time, it is emphasized that there are currently no indications that the women are involved in his death.

White powder and aluminum foil

The public prosecutor’s office confirms that a series of substances were seized from his hotel room “indicating a previous situation of alcohol and drug use.” A search of Payne’s room revealed “what appeared to be narcotics, alcohol, destroyed items and furniture.” Detectives also seized a bottle of whiskey, medication, a lighter, a phone and a notebook.

Photos from his hotel room show empty champagne glasses, a white powder, aluminum foil, remains of a burnt candle and a broken TV. More remains of candles and aluminum foil were found in the bathtub. If further investigation confirms the presence of drugs, the police will investigate who delivered the narcotics to the British singer, according to various media. (Read more below the post)

Shortly after Payne’s death, the American entertainment site TMZ published a photo of the British musician’s lifeless body – more specifically, an image of the tattoos on his arm. “TMZ has obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on the terrace of the hotel,” the accompanying text said. “We don’t show the whole body, but you can clearly see his tattoos: a clock on his left forearm and a scorpion on his stomach.” After a lot of criticism from fans, TMZ decided to remove the photo.

Payne was involved in a legal battle with his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry. The couple separated in 2022 after a turbulent three-year relationship. For example, the model from Texas stated in a podcast earlier this week that Payne had convinced her at the time to have an abortion “because he did not want to become a father again” – Payne already had a son from a previous relationship with singer Cheryl Cole . “I did what he asked and then he left me.”

According to Henry, Payne continued to contact her “obsessively” after the break-up, even though she had said she did not want to and he had a new girlfriend. “He kept messaging me and calling me.” Just days ago, 23-year-old Henry instructed her lawyers to send a letter to Payne, emphatically requesting that she be left alone. According to the lawyers, this happened “after new and worrying information had emerged”.

Earlier this week, Henry stated on the podcast The internet is dead also that Payne had told her mother “he wouldn’t live much longer.” “He said, ‘I’m dying, I’m not doing well,’” Henry said. “I tried to offer him help, but he didn’t accept it.” Meanwhile, Maya Henry said she was “in shock” over Payne’s death.

Broken

Payne’s family reacted “devastated” to the news of his death. “But Liam will live on forever in our hearts,” the statement said. “We will remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We support each other as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.”

The sudden death of Liam Payne also provoked a lot of reactions from music lovers and celebrities. After his death, fans gathered in front of the hotel, laying flowers and lighting candles. “This can’t be true, can it?” said one fan in tears. “What should we do now?”

Harry Styles’ mother calls the death of the 31-year-old man a tragedy. “Just a boy,” says Instagram with emojis of broken hearts. “Rest in peace my friend,” writes celebrity Paris Hilton. “Wow, I can’t believe it,” writes American rapper Juicy J, who collaborated with Payne on the song You. (Read more below the post)

Producer Zedd, with whom Payne made the song Get Low, is also affected by the news. “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… Absolutely heartbreaking,” he said. “I talked to you two days ago. I’m going to miss you so much, friend,” singer Ty Dolla Sign writes on Instagram.

Together with Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles, Payne was a member of One Direction, the boy band that was founded in 2010 and enjoyed great success. The announcement that the group would be taking a break in 2016 shocked millions of fans. Officially the group never split.

If you are thinking of suicide and need a conversation, you can contact the Suicide Line on 1813 or via www.zelfmoord1813.be