Former One Direction member Liam Payne was discovered deceased outside a hotel in Buenos Aires after the 31-year-old reportedly fell from his third-floor balcony, according to Argentine authorities on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Buenos Aires police mentioned they were dispatched to the hotel located in the Palermo district after receiving reports of an "aggressive individual possibly under the influence of substances and alcohol". The hotel manager reported hearing a loud noise at the rear of the establishment, and upon police arrival, it was confirmed that a man had fallen from his balcony.
Emergency services confirmed the death of the British singer, who was found in the hotel's interior patio. American singer Charlie Puth expressed shock on Instagram, stating, "Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone."
U.S. music channel MTV, streaming service Spotify, and the BRITs British music awards all conveyed their condolences via social media to Payne's family and loved ones. Payne had a son named Bear with British TV personality and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl in 2017. Neither Payne's record label Republic Records nor its owner Universal Music Group could be reached for immediate comment.
Police had received a call from a hotel worker requesting urgent assistance with an intoxicated guest. The worker mentioned that the guest was destroying the room and their life was at risk due to the presence of a balcony. Emergency responders transported the body to the morgue, while fans and onlookers gathered, some hugging and crying, eventually breaking into applause.
Payne, known for his global fame as part of the disbanded pop group One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, rose to prominence after finishing third on the British version of the X Factor in 2010. The group disbanded in 2016, with members pursuing solo careers. One Direction was ranked the third best boy band ever by Entertainment Weekly in 2024, having won numerous awards and sold approximately 70 million records worldwide.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Payne's net worth was estimated at $70 million, thanks to his contributions to One Direction and his solo career. Reuters reporters observed crowds gathering outside the hotel, with police and emergency services cordoning off an area as night fell.
One fan, Yamila Zacarias, expressed her deep connection to the band, stating, "He meant a lot to me because the band came into my life at a time when I was trying to be part of something, and being a One Direction fan became that something for me." Another fan, Violeta Antier, mentioned seeing Payne just two weeks prior at a Niall Horan concert.
Payne had attended Horan's Buenos Aires concert on October 2, part of a Latin American tour that included stops in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Colombia. The two had shared videos with fans. Payne had previously discussed his mental health struggles and use of alcohol to cope with fame. Last year, he posted a video on his YouTube channel thanking supporters for their continued support during difficult times.
Earlier on Wednesday, Payne appeared to post on Snapchat about his activities in Argentina, including horseback riding, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog. "It's a lovely day here in Argentina," he said in the video.
