Buenos Aires: Liam Payne, the English singer who rose to global stardom as part of the boy band One Direction, was found dead after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires. He was 31.
The news of Payne’s death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans across the world. In Buenos Aires, fans gathered outside the CasaSur hotel in the Palermo neighborhood, where the tragedy occurred, singing his songs and celebrating the life of the beloved musician.
According to an official statement from the local police, officers were called to the hotel after receiving reports of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol.” Upon arrival, the hotel manager informed them of a loud noise from the inner courtyard, which led police to discover that a man had fallen from his room’s balcony.
In audio obtained from Buenos Aires’ security ministry, a hotel worker could be heard requesting police assistance, stating, “When he is conscious, he is destroying the entire room, and we need you to send someone.” The worker also noted that Payne’s life was at risk due to the presence of a balcony in his room.
Liam Payne rose to fame after Simon Cowell formed One Direction on Britain’s X Factor in 2010, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson. The group became one of the world’s best-selling boy bands, amassing over 70 million records sold and six top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100, including iconic tracks like What Makes You Beautiful, Story of My Life, and Live While We’re Young. Payne was credited as a co-writer on several of the band’s hits, including Story of My Life and Night Changes.
One Direction went on an “indefinite hiatus” in 2016, allowing its members to pursue solo careers. Payne released several singles as a solo artist, with his most recent track, Teardrop, released in March 2024. Despite his musical success, Payne openly discussed his struggles with mental health and the pressures of fame, which at times led him to use alcohol as a coping mechanism.
In a candid 2019 interview with The Guardian, Payne spoke about the isolation that came with fame: “Doing a show to however many thousands of people, then being stuck by yourself in a country where you can’t go out anywhere – what else are you going to do? The minibar is always there.”
Payne’s family released a statement expressing their devastation: “We are heartbroken. Liam will live forever in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul.”