Liam Payne, former One Direction star, dies after falling from hotel balcony

Liam Payne, the British singer known for his role in the best-selling boy band One Direction, died Wednesday at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires. Police and emergency responders confirmed the tragic incident.

Details surrounding the fall remain unclear, with authorities investigating whether it was accidental or related to Payne’s previous struggles with alcohol abuse. Shortly after the news broke, fans and onlookers, mostly in their 20s and 30s, gathered near the Casa Sur hotel in the Palermo neighborhood, where medical teams were working at the scene.

According to a police statement, Payne was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining “very serious injuries incompatible with life.” Alberto Crescenti, head of the city’s SAME emergency medical service, reported that emergency personnel arrived within seven minutes of a call placed at 5:04 p.m. local time. Crescenti stated that Payne suffered a fracture at the base of his skull from a fall of approximately 13 or 14 meters (43-46 feet), and there was “no possibility of resuscitation.”

The emergency call reportedly mentioned an “aggressive man” who may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Local media indicated that the hotel manager expressed concerns about a guest “on drugs and destroying the room” before the incident.

Crescenti detailed that upon arrival, officers learned of a man who had jumped from his balcony. Photos published by the Argentine newspaper Clarin suggested a chaotic scene within Payne’s hotel room, showing white powder and other paraphernalia scattered about.

As news of Payne’s death spread, a firetruck was seen removing his body around 8:30 p.m. local time, while fans outside mourned, some crying and applauding solemnly.

Liam Payne rose to fame as a member of One Direction, which formed in 2010 after competing on the British television show “The X Factor.” Alongside fellow bandmates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, the group became a global sensation, known for their chart-topping albums and tours. They have sold over 70 million records worldwide, making them one of the highest-grossing boy bands in history.

Following Malik’s departure in 2015, the band announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016 but did not formally split. Payne ventured into a solo career, releasing his debut album, “LP1,” in December 2019, which included the hit single “Strip That Down,” peaking at number three on the UK charts.

In recent years, Payne has been open about his struggles with fame and alcohol addiction. In a YouTube video posted in 2023, he discussed his time in rehab and efforts to stop drinking, stating, “I kind of became somebody who I didn’t really recognize anymore.”

Before his death, Payne had attended a concert by former bandmate Niall Horan in Buenos Aires on October 2. His passing has left a profound impact on fans who grew up listening to One Direction, as expressed by 21-year-old fan Lena Duek, who stated, “I feel like it’s a part of adolescence lost.”