Topline
Liam Payne, an English singer who rose to fame as a member of boy band One Direction, died after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and suffering multiple traumas and hemorrhages, according to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office.
Liam Payne attends Annabel’s 60th Anniversary Party on June 8, 2023 in London, England.
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Annabel’s
Key Facts
Buenos Aires police issued a statement Wednesday saying Payne fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentinian capital, sustaining “extremely serious injuries,” and was declared dead on the spot by medics.
A toxicology report is still pending, but autopsy results released by officials Thursday said he died from multiple traumas, internal and external hemorrhage.
Authorities said substances were found in Payne’s hotel room, suggesting alcohol and drug consumption before his death, and the investigation so far indicates the musician was under the influence and alone when the fell.
A local official cited by the Associated Press said Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room,” though authorities did not elaborate on the nature of the fall Thursday.
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 “under the influence of drugs and alcohol” who had “destroyed some objects in the room.”
According to the 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 the U.K. Foreign office is in touch with Argentinian authorities on the matter.
Payne’s family released a statement to British media Thursday: “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”
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Crucial Quote
The other four former members of One Direction released a joint statement Thursday afternoon on Instagram, saying they were “completely devastated” by Payne’s passing and will “take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
How Have 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 Styles’ mother, Anne Twist, appeared to mourn the singer’s death by posting an image of the broken heart emoji on her Instagram, alongside the caption: “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. Producer Zedd called the news “absolutely heartbreaking” and singer Charlie Puth remembered Payne on Instagram as “one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone.”
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 saw astronomical success 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 spent 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.
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs contributed reporting.