Former One Direction member Liam Payne tragically passed away at the age of 31 on Wednesday, following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne, who rose to fame as part of the globally successful boy band, was staying at the CasaSur Palermo hotel when the incident occurred.
In a heartfelt statement to PA Media, Payne’s family expressed their grief: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul. We ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Transcripts from a 911 call made by hotel staff revealed concerns about Payne’s behavior before his fall, with a staff member reporting that the singer appeared “high on drugs” and was “trashing the room.” The staffer expressed fear for Payne’s safety, as the hotel room had a balcony. Despite efforts to assist, they were unable to enter Payne’s room, leading to the urgent request for police assistance.
Initially, reports suggested Payne fell three floors, but Buenos Aires Security Ministry later confirmed Payne “jumped from the balcony.” Tributes have since poured in from “The X Factor,” the Backstreet Boys, Paris Hilton, and more. Simon Cowell’s “Britain’s Got Talent” postponed auditions in light of Payne’s passing.
Payne first gained global recognition on “The X Factor” in 2010, where he and fellow One Direction members were formed into a group that would become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. After One Direction’s indefinite hiatus in 2016, Payne embarked on a solo career, releasing hits like “Strip That Down” and “Teardrops.”
Payne had been open about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health. In 2023, he shared that he had been sober for over 100 days, saying he felt “amazing” and was thankful for the support from fans.
