Kaylah Walton
Authorities in Argentina are actively looking into the death of ex-One Direction singer Liam Payne, who tragically passed away at 31 years old after a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
Payne was a cherished member of the iconic boy band formed in 2010, which included fellow members Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, after they originally auditioned solo for “The X-Factor.” Under Simon Cowell’s guidance, they united to create a group that reached immense fame akin to the Beatles.
Below is what is known so far regarding the circumstances of the star’s sudden death.
Emergency services were contacted shortly before Payne’s fall
Staff at Casa Sur Hotel in the upscale Palermo area of Buenos Aires called for police assistance on Wednesday evening, expressing concern over a guest who appeared to be “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol.” Police promptly arrived just after 5 p.m., reportedly a few minutes before the incident.
In a 911 call obtained by The Associated Press, the hotel manager described a chaotic scene where the guest was “destroying the entire room,” underscoring the urgency with statements about the balcony’s presence.
Payne’s death deemed “suspicious” by officials
Authorities indicated that the injuries sustained in the fall were sufficient to result in death, yet classified the incident as “suspicious,” largely due to indications of alcohol and drug use. The investigation revealed Payne was likely alone at the time, prompting a toxicology report to ascertain the circumstances. The prosecutor noted the absence of defensive wounds, suggesting potential unconsciousness at the time of the fall.
Police discovered disarray in Payne’s hotel room
Upon inspection, police found Payne’s hotel room in a state of disarray, with numerous broken items and various drugs, including clonazepam and energy supplements, scattered about. Forensics teams collected evidence, including a whiskey bottle and a lighter, from the courtyard where Payne’s body was discovered, indicating he may have been experiencing a crisis related to substance use.
In recent statements, Payne had openly discussed his battle with alcoholism and noted achieving six months of sobriety following treatment.
Ongoing investigation into Payne’s death
Authorities are continuing their inquiry as they wait for toxicology results, gathering testimonies from hotel staff and two women who visited Payne earlier that day, who had left before the tragic incident.
Media reactions and ethical concerns arise after Payne’s death
Initial reports by TMZ included unedited images of Payne’s body post-fall, which prompted significant backlash from the public. The outlet later altered their report, detailing the situation while acknowledging the received criticism.
The images circulated widely across social platforms, accompanied by erroneous videos of unrelated incidents. Some social media users have flagged these posts for misleading content.
One Direction’s heartfelt response to Payne’s passing
The remaining members of One Direction expressed profound sorrow over Payne’s death in a statement, emphasizing their devastation and commitment to honoring his memory as they process their grief.
Individual tributes from Malik, Tomlinson, and Styles highlighted their special bonds with Payne, each referring to him as family. Tomlinson shared his intention to support Payne’s son, Bear, by recounting memorable stories about his dad.
Payne is survived by his son Bear, whom he had with former partner Cheryl, as well as his parents and two sisters.
