Multiple outlets are reporting that Liam Payne, British musician and a former member of One Direction, has died after falling from the third floor of a Buenos Aires hotel. He was 31.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement to the Associated Press that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in “extremely serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death on the spot, the statement said.
Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Payne “had thrown himself from the balcony of his room.”
He said police were dispatched to the hotel in response to an emergency call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” Arriving police heard a thud and found Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard, Policicchio said.
The news first surfaced on Argentinian media, which reported that police were investigating whether the death was an accident or self-inflicted.
The director of Buenos Aires’ ambulance service, SAME, confirmed the death to the TN outlet.
“He had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall,” Alberta Crescenti told TN, in a translated statement. He declined to answer further questions but confirmed an autopsy would be performed.
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Payne had been vocal about struggling with alcoholism, posting a video in July 2023 to his YouTube channel where he said he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment.
Global News has reached out to Payne’s reps for confirmation, but did not immediately hear back.
Born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1993, Payne rose to fame as part of the since-disbanded pop band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
After each singer failed to make it through the British singing competition The X Factor as solo acts, record executive Simon Cowell and his fellow judges combined the five into a group in 2010.
The new boy band went on to place third in the competition and launched a massively successful career, selling 70 million records worldwide. They had a loyal fan base, many of whom were teen girls, who became known as “Directioners.”
Their debut album hit number two on the British charts and number one in the United States, and produced the Top 10 Billboard hits That’s What Makes You Beautiful and One Thing. Their next four albums topped the charts in both countries and several others.
The group broke up in 2016 as its members pursued different projects including solo careers. Payne released his sole studio album, LP1, in 2019. His last release was a single called Teardrops, in March.
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Argentine media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to see his former bandmate Horan in concert.
Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend, the musician Cheryl who was known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud. She was an X Factor judge during One Direction’s season.
He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
The other members of One Direction released a joint statement on Thursday:
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
—With files from the Associated Press
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