Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, has tragically died at the age of 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after a fall from a hotel balcony, according to local authorities.
Police discovered Payne’s body following an emergency call made from the upscale Palermo neighborhood, where he had been staying.
The singer, who gained international fame as part of One Direction after their debut on a talent show in 2010 alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, had recently attended a concert in Argentina featuring bandmate Niall Horan.
Initial reports indicated that police were responding to calls about an aggressive individual potentially under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Upon arrival, officers heard a loud noise from an interior courtyard, leading to the discovery of Payne’s body.
Emergency services director Alberto Crescenti stated that Payne sustained serious injuries, and an investigation into his death is currently underway.
As the news spread, fans gathered outside the hotel where the incident occurred, prompting authorities to cordon off the area.
Born in Wolverhampton, UK, Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 but was encouraged by judge Simon Cowell to return after two years. In 2010, he successfully re-auditioned and formed One Direction, which achieved monumental success with four UK number one albums and numerous global hits before announcing a hiatus in 2015.
In 2017, Payne released his debut solo single, “Strip That Down,” which peaked at number three on the UK charts. He also collaborated with Rita Ora on “For You,” featured in the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, which also reached the top ten.
Payne had a high-profile relationship with Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, with whom he welcomed a son, Bear, before their split in 2018. Recently, allegations regarding his behavior toward former partners had surfaced, with one reportedly taking legal action against him.
Tributes have poured in from fans and celebrities alike. Socialite Paris Hilton expressed her condolences, stating, “Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP my friend.”
