Former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, tragically died on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The singer, whose time in the globally famous boy band brought him international stardom, was found at the Casa Sur Hotel in the city’s Palermo neighborhood. The fall resulted in “extremely serious injuries,” according to Buenos Aires police, and medics confirmed his death at the scene.
Pablo Policicchio, communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, confirmed that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room,” as reported to The Associated Press. Police responded to an emergency call just after 5 p.m. local time. The call described an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
In the 911 call obtained by the AP, the hotel manager can be heard explaining the situation, saying, “We have a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol. He’s destroying the entire room, and, well, we need you to send someone, please.” The manager’s concern grew as the call continued, mentioning the presence of a balcony in the room.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, spoke to Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV, confirming that an autopsy would be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation into Payne’s death. Payne had been open about his battles with alcoholism, sharing in a YouTube video posted in July 2023 that he had been sober for six months after undergoing treatment.
Fans of Payne and One Direction quickly gathered outside the hotel after news broke of his passing. Dozens of young women lined the street, setting up a makeshift memorial of candles and flowers outside the hotel. Many expressed their grief on social media, filming the scene as forensic investigators were seen leaving the premises. Payne’s body was removed from the hotel about three hours after his fall.
Liam Payne’s fame skyrocketed in 2010 when he joined One Direction, a band formed on the British talent show The X Factor. After initially auditioning as solo artists, Payne, along with Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, was grouped together by Simon Cowell, creating one of the most successful boy bands of all time. Known for hits like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life,” the group quickly gained a massive following, particularly among teenage girls.
During his time with the band, Payne earned a reputation as the “responsible one,” contributing significantly to the band’s success both as a performer and a songwriter. By the time One Direction disbanded in 2016, they had six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts and a fiercely loyal fan base known as “Directioners.”
Following the group’s breakup, Payne pursued a solo career, releasing his debut single “Strip That Down” in 2017, which reached the Billboard Top 10. His solo work showcased a shift in musical style toward EDM and hip-hop influences, and his album LP1 was released in 2019. His last single, “Teardrops,” came out in March 2023.
Payne also made headlines for his personal life. He shares a 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl, a former judge on The X Factor during One Direction’s rise to fame. Though their relationship started years later, Payne and Cheryl co-parented their son, maintaining a close bond. Payne was also previously engaged to model Maya Henry, with their engagement ending in 2022.
In addition to his son, Payne is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
