Liam Payne, Former One Direction Singer, Dies At 31 After Falling From Hotel Balcony

Liam Payne, former One Direction singer, was found dead after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, October 16, local officials told Argentine media, per The Associated Press. Argentine media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

Liam Payne dies at 31 in Argentine

According to a report in The Associated Press, Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel that Payne fell into the Casa Sur Hotel courtyard in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina’s capital. He suffered serious injuries and died on the spot, the statement said.

Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room.” Police rushed to the hotel in response to an emergency call just after 5 PM local time, he said, warning of an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

For the unversed, the singer had been vocal about struggling with alcoholism. He posted a video in July 2023 on his YouTube channel where Payne said he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, soon after the news of Liam Payne's death broke, his fans gathered outside the hotel to pay their last respect to the singer.

Who was Liam Payne?

Liam Payne was one of the five members of One Direction, which comprised Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. The band was formed after they all failed to make it through the competition as solo acts in the X Factor in 2010. So, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges combined them, eventually becoming one of the most successful boy bands. Together they have given numerous chartbuster songs, including What Makes You Beautiful, Night Changes and Story of My Life. Payne also churned out solo songs, including Change Your Ticket, Stole My Heart, and more.

Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne. He welcomed him with his ex-girlfriend, the musician Cheryl Cole. He is also survived by his parents Geoff and Karen Payne and his two elder sisters, Ruth and Nicola.