**Liam Payne Found Dead After Falling from Hotel Balcony in Buenos Aires**
**BUENOS AIRES, Oct 16 (Reuters)** – Liam Payne, the former member of the globally renowned boy band One Direction, tragically passed away after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. His death has sparked a wave of grief and tributes from fans worldwide.
The 31-year-old English singer’s death prompted fans to gather outside the CasaSur hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, where they sang his songs and celebrated his life.
According to a police statement, authorities were called to the hotel after reports of an “aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol.” Upon arrival, the hotel manager informed police that a loud noise had been heard from the inner courtyard, and it was discovered that a man had fallen from the balcony of his room.
Audio from the Buenos Aires security ministry revealed a hotel worker requesting police assistance, stating, “When he is conscious, he is destroying the entire room, and we need help. His life is at risk because the room has a balcony.”
Liam Payne rose to fame in 2010 when Simon Cowell brought him together with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson to form One Direction on the British talent show *The X Factor*. The band went on to sell 70 million records globally, with hits like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” and “Live While We’re Young.” Payne co-wrote several of the band’s songs, including “Story of My Life” and “Night Changes.”
In 2016, One Direction announced an “indefinite hiatus,” allowing its members to pursue solo careers. Payne’s last single, “Teardrop,” was released in March 2023.
Payne’s family expressed their heartbreak in a statement, saying, “Liam will live forever in our hearts, and we will remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul.”
While the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, Payne had previously spoken about his struggles with mental health and his use of alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame. In a 2019 interview with *The Guardian*, he shared, “Doing a show to however many thousands of people, then being stuck by yourself in a country where you can’t go out anywhere – what else are you going to do? The minibar is always there.”
Fans in Argentina, where Payne’s death occurred, were left in shock. “I feel like it’s a dream, like I’m going to wake up and it will all be a lie,” said Micaela Ibertis, a fan who attended a vigil in Buenos Aires. Another fan, Violeta Antier, recalled seeing Payne recently at a Niall Horan concert, saying, “He was there. I saw him. He was okay.”
Payne first auditioned for *The X Factor* in 2008 at the age of 14 but was advised by Simon Cowell to return when he was older. Cowell later said, “I always knew that with confidence, he would be a valuable member of this band.”
American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, who collaborated with Payne during his career, expressed his shock on Instagram, saying, “Liam was always so kind to me.”
Payne’s solo career included collaborations with artists like Rita Ora on the 2018 song “For You” and the release of his debut studio album *LP1* in 2019. His success with One Direction and as a solo artist helped him amass a fortune of approximately $70 million, according to *Celebrity Net Worth*.
Payne had a son, Bear, with British TV personality Cheryl, who was a judge on *The X Factor* when Payne first gained fame. In a video posted on his YouTube channel last year, Payne spoke about his family, his plans to create new music, and his journey to sobriety, thanking fans for their unwavering support during his difficult times.
Just days before his death, Payne posted on Snapchat about his trip to Argentina, sharing his experiences of riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home. “It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in the video.
**Reporting by Sarah Morland, Brendan O’Boyle, Anthony Esposito, Eliana Raszewski, Agustin Marcarian, Adam Jourdan, William James, and Rocky Swift; Writing by Kate Holton; Editing by David Alire Garcia, Chris Reese, Sonali Paul, Edwina Gibbs, and Peter Graff.**
*Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.*
Source: reuters.com