The circumstances surrounding the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne were deemed suspicious and potentially linked to drug use, according to Argentine prosecutors. Payne, who passed away on Wednesday, rose to fame as a teenager and faced the intense pressures of global celebrity. As the news spread worldwide, fans and media gathered at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires' Palermo neighborhood, where Payne was found dead after falling from his third-floor room.
All four of Payne's former One Direction bandmates issued a joint statement expressing their devastation. "The memories we shared with him will be cherished forever," the statement read, signed by Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson. "In time, and when everyone is ready, there will be more to say."
Buenos Aires police reported finding Payne's hotel room in disarray, with broken objects and furniture. They discovered packs of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, along with energy supplements and over-the-counter medications among his belongings. The Argentine public prosecutor noted the presence of alcohol and narcotics in the room. Forensic teams recovered a whiskey bottle, lighter, and cellphone from the building's internal courtyard where Payne's body was located.
The autopsy revealed internal bleeding and 25 traumatic injuries to Payne's skull, limbs, and abdomen, consistent with a fall. These injuries alone were sufficient to cause his death. The prosecutor stated there were no signs of a third party involvement but described the case as "suspicious," citing Payne's apparent alcohol and drug use. The absence of defensive injuries on Payne's hands suggested he may have fallen unconscious, possibly during a substance abuse episode. All indications pointed to Payne being alone at the time of his death.
Toxicology test results are pending and may take weeks to be released. Fans, both local and international, flocked to the hotel to mourn, sing, and pay their respects. A musician among them played One Direction hits on his guitar, with others singing along and filming on their phones. At the city's central Obelisco, a gathering of young female fans united in grief replaced the usual mix of food vendors, tourists, and homeless people.
"It's very painful that it happened so unexpectedly," said 15-year-old Melissa Acuña at the vigil. "I came here to honor him because it would be awful if we didn't." Tributes continued to pour in from the pop industry and fellow musicians. Payne was known as the sensible, tousle-headed member of the quintet that transformed from a TV talent show to a global pop sensation. In recent years, he had openly struggled with alcoholism, sharing in a 2023 YouTube video that he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment.
"We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we'll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul," his family said in a statement. "We are supporting each other as best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time." Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who performed with One Direction in 2014, expressed shock and sadness. The Backstreet Boys extended their condolences to fans worldwide.
In past interviews, Payne discussed the challenging aspects of growing up in the entertainment industry. "I don't think you can ever fully cope with that. It's surreal to see people react that way to us and what we do," he told the AP in 2013, recalling a fan's shock upon meeting him. One Direction announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016, and Payne, like his former bandmates, pursued a solo career, focusing on EDM and hip-hop.
In 2020, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of One Direction, Payne shared a text message he sent to his father on the day he joined the group: "I'm in a boyband." "What a journey... I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my dad years ago at this exact time the band was formed," he wrote.
