Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 in Argentina hotel fall – The Hindu
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Former One Direction member Liam Payne, 31, died Wednesday after falling from the balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires. The incident took place at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood, according to a police statement. Payne fell from the third floor, sustaining severe injuries that resulted in his immediate death.
The incident occurred just after 5 p.m. local time. Police were called to the hotel following a report of an aggressive man possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When they arrived, Payne had already fallen. Emergency medics confirmed his death on the scene.
Hotel staff reportedly alerted authorities when Payne began acting erratically. A 911 call, obtained by The Associated Press, recorded the hotel manager describing Payne as “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol” and “destroying the room.” The manager expressed growing concern as the call progressed, especially because the room had a balcony.
The police statement indicated that Payne may have jumped from the balcony. While the details of the incident are still being investigated, including whether drugs or alcohol were involved, the news has sent shockwaves through fans around the world.
Payne’s battle with alcohol had been public for years. In a video posted to YouTube in July 2023, Payne shared that he had been sober for six months after undergoing treatment. It remains unclear whether this relapse played a role in his death.
Soon after news of the tragedy broke, fans began gathering outside the Casa Sur Hotel, forming a crowd that extended onto the street. Many were visibly emotional, lighting candles and placing flowers as a makeshift memorial took shape. Some fans filmed the scene, expressing disbelief at the sudden loss of their idol.
Isabella Milesi, a 21-year-old fan, said, “I didn’t think he was going to die so young.” Another fan, 18-year-old Juana Relh, was equally devastated, stating, “To see that he died and that there will never be another reunion of the boys is unbelievable, it kills me.”
Liam Payne rose to fame in 2010 as a member of the boy band One Direction. The group was formed after each member, including Payne, failed to advance as solo acts in the British singing competition show “The X Factor.” Simon Cowell, a judge on the show, assembled Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson into a band, despite their individual eliminations.
The group quickly gained international fame, becoming one of the most successful boy bands in history, even though they did not win the competition. One Direction released multiple chart-topping hits, including “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life.” Payne was known as the responsible one within the group, and he played a prominent role as a vocalist and songwriter.
By the time the band disbanded in 2016, they had six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts and an enormous, dedicated fan base. Payne’s transition to solo work saw a shift in his musical style. He experimented with hip-hop and EDM, with his 2017 single “Strip That Down” reaching the Billboard Top 10. His first solo album, LP1, was released in 2019, and he continued to release music sporadically in the years that followed. His last single, “Teardrops,” was released in March of this year.
Despite his professional success, Payne’s personal life was often tumultuous. He openly struggled with the pressures of fame and the challenges of living in the public eye. In a 2013 interview, Payne spoke candidly about the difficulty of dealing with fan hysteria, describing an encounter with a fan who was left in shock after meeting him.
Payne’s romantic life also attracted significant media attention. He had a son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former partner Cheryl, a fellow musician who had been a judge on “The X Factor” when One Direction was formed. Payne and Cheryl’s relationship began several years after the show. Payne was also engaged to Maya Henry, a model, but the couple broke off their engagement in 2022.
At the time of his death, Payne had been focusing on his music career and had reportedly been working on new material. He leaves behind his son, Bear, as well as his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
Fans around the world are mourning the loss of the singer, with many reflecting on the lasting impact Payne had on their lives. His death marks a tragic end to a life that captivated millions and a career that helped define a generation of pop music.
As investigations into the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death continue, fans are left grappling with the loss of a beloved figure, while authorities work to piece together what led to the fatal fall.
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