Liam Payne, former member of the globally popular One Direction Band, has died at the age of 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Police reported that Payne fell from the third floor of a hotel in the upscale Palermo neighborhood.
Authorities responded to an emergency call regarding an “aggressive man” suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When police arrived, they reportedly heard a loud noise from the hotel’s interior courtyard and then discovered Payne’s body. An investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fall.
Emergency medical services director Alberto Crescenti confirmed that Payne had sustained severe injuries and that an autopsy would be conducted to provide further details. He refrained from commenting on the specifics of how the fall occurred.
Payne, born in Wolverhampton, UK, became a household name after auditioning for The X Factor in 2010, where he was placed in a group with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik—creating the band One Direction. The band achieved incredible success with four UK number one albums and a series of chart-topping singles worldwide. They announced a break in 2015, with members pursuing solo careers.
As a solo artist, Payne enjoyed chart success with his debut single Strip That Down in 2017, and he also collaborated with Rita Ora on For You, a song from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.
Payne’s personal life was often in the spotlight. In 2016, he started dating Cheryl Cole, a member of Girls Aloud, and the couple had a son named Bear in 2017 before parting ways in 2018.
In recent weeks, social media had been abuzz with discussions about his behavior, and one former partner had reportedly taken legal action to prevent Payne from contacting her close circle.
Just weeks before his passing, Payne was seen attending Niall Horan’s concert in Argentina, reuniting briefly with his former bandmate. Fans have expressed shock and grief at the tragic news, gathering outside the Buenos Aires hotel where he died, leaving flowers and messages in his memory.
“We were at home when we heard the news. We came here straight away to make sure it was true,” said Violeta Antier, a fan who had attended the Niall Horan concert where Payne was seen.
Tributes have since poured in from all over the world, with fans, celebrities, and fellow musicians expressing their sadness. Socialite Paris Hilton wrote on social media, “Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP, my friend.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary shared a heartfelt memory of Payne, recalling the teenager’s audition. “He was a joy to be around, always grateful and humble,” O’Leary wrote alongside a picture of the two together.
