BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Liam Payne, 31, a former member of the globally renowned British boy band One Direction, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, local authorities reported.
Police in Buenos Aires stated that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, located in the trendy Palermo district of Argentina’s capital, suffering “extremely serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death at the scene, according to the statement.
A hotel manager, speaking on a 911 call obtained by the AP, described Payne as “a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol… He’s destroying the entire room, and we need someone to come quickly.” The manager’s voice became more anxious as the call progressed, mentioning that the room had a balcony.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical service, told Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV that authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and performing an autopsy.
Payne had openly spoken about his struggles with alcoholism, sharing a video on his YouTube channel in July 2023 where he revealed he had been sober for six months following treatment. Representatives for Payne did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Following the news, dozens of One Direction fans gathered at the Casa Sur Hotel, forming long lines that spilled into the street, which had been cordoned off by police. Forensic investigators were seen exiting the hotel, where Payne’s body was removed about three hours after the fall. Fans, many of them young women, filmed the scene with their phones, expressing shock and heartbreak. A makeshift memorial, complete with candles and flowers, quickly grew outside the hotel.
“I never thought he would die so young,” said 21-year-old Isabella Milesi, one of the fans.
Payne was one of the five original members of One Direction, which was formed after the group auditioned for the British singing competition “The X Factor” in 2010, two years after Payne’s first attempt to join the show. At 16, during his second audition, he performed Michael Bublé’s rendition of “Cry Me a River,” initially nervous but warming up with the audience’s cheers.
After all the singers failed to advance as solo contestants, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges decided to group Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson into a new act, which would go on to become one of the most successful boy bands in history—despite losing the competition.
Each band member had their own distinct persona, with Payne, who hailed from Wolverhampton, England, being known as the responsible one. One Direction became famous for their pop sound and romantic hits like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Night Changes,” and “Story of My Life.” Payne had prominent solos on tracks like “Stole My Heart” and “Change Your Ticket,” and co-wrote many of the band’s songs. By the time the band disbanded in 2016, they had scored six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts and a fiercely loyal fanbase known as “Directioners,” many of whom were teenage girls.
“I’ve always loved One Direction since I was little,” said 18-year-old Juana Relh, another fan outside Payne’s hotel. “To see that he died and that there will never be another reunion of the boys is unbelievable, it kills me.”
With his rapid rise to fame, Payne had said that it took him some time to adjust to living in the public eye. “I don’t think you can ever deal with it, it’s all a bit crazy for us to see that people get in that sort of state of mind about us and what we do,” he said in a 2013 interview with the AP after recalling an experience where a fan was in shock upon meeting him.
After One Direction’s split, Payne—like the other former bandmates—pursued a solo career, shifting toward EDM and hip-hop. His 2017 single “Strip That Down,” featuring Quavo, reached the Billboard Top 10 and stayed on the charts for several months. He released his album “LP1” in 2019, and his latest single, “Teardrops,” came out in March.
Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend, musician Cheryl, known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud. She was a judge on “The X Factor” during One Direction’s season, although their relationship began years later. Payne was also engaged to Maya Henry from August 2020 to early 2022. Henry released a novel earlier this year, which she said was based on their relationship.
In addition to his son, Payne is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
Humaimi reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Natacha Pisarenko and Debora Rey contributed reporting from Buenos Aires, Argentina.