Former One Direction star, Liam Payne, has tragically passed away at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Police responded to an emergency call from the upscale Palermo neighborhood on Wednesday, where they found Payne’s body in the hotel’s courtyard. According to local authorities, witnesses reported hearing a loud noise shortly before his body was discovered.
Payne had been staying at the hotel after attending a concert by his former bandmate, Niall Horan, just a few weeks earlier. A police investigation has been launched, with initial reports suggesting the singer may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.
Liam Payne rose to international stardom as part of One Direction, a boy band formed on The X Factor in 2010. Along with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, Payne became a global sensation with hit albums and sold-out tours. After the group went on hiatus in 2015, Payne pursued a solo career, releasing popular singles like “Strip That Down” and collaborating with artists like Rita Ora.
Fans and celebrities around the world have been expressing their sorrow and shock at Payne’s untimely death. Thousands of fans gathered outside the hotel in Buenos Aires, lighting candles in memory of the star. Max George from The Wanted and fellow X Factor alumnus Olly Murs were among the many paying tribute, recalling Payne’s warmth, talent, and humility. Presenter Dermot O’Leary also remembered Payne as a young talent who blew the judges away during his X Factor audition.
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that it is in touch with Argentine authorities regarding Payne’s death.
