Liam Payne, One Direction Star, Found Dead In Buenos Aires

British singer Liam Payne, former member of the chart-topping boy band One Direction, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a Buenos Aires hotel, according to police and emergency responders.

As news of Payne's death spread, heartbroken fans—many in their 20s and 30s—gathered near the hotel in Argentina's capital, where medical teams were present. "The news hit me hard," said 27-year-old fan Pilar Bilik outside the hotel.

Reality star and businesswoman Paris Hilton expressed her sorrow on social media, writing, "So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend," accompanied by a crying emoji.

In a police statement, authorities confirmed, "Liam James Payne, composer and guitarist, former member of the band One Direction, died today after falling from the third floor of a hotel." Alberto Crescenti, head of Buenos Aires' SAME emergency medical service, reported that Payne suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life," including a fracture at the base of his skull. Crescenti added that paramedics arrived within seven minutes but were unable to revive him.

The fall, estimated to be from a height of about 13 to 14 meters (43-46 feet), left Payne with no chance of survival, according to Crescenti.

Details of the Incident

Police had been called to the scene after receiving a report of "an aggressive man possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol." Local media outlets shared details of the emergency call, with the hotel manager reporting a guest "on drugs and destroying the room." The manager expressed concern that the guest had access to a balcony, fearing for their safety.

The Buenos Aires security ministry confirmed that when officers arrived, the hotel manager reported the guest had jumped from the balcony. Argentine newspaper Clarin published photos purportedly showing the interior of Payne's hotel room, with white powder, a piece of aluminum foil, and a lighter on a table, alongside a television with a broken screen.

Around 8:30 p.m. local time, Payne's body was removed from the hotel, as grieving fans gathered outside, many of them crying and applauding solemnly.

Liam Payne's Legacy

Liam Payne first rose to fame as part of One Direction, the British-Irish pop phenomenon that emerged from the television show The X Factor in 2010. Alongside Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, Payne helped the group become one of the best-selling boy bands in history. Known for their radio-friendly hits, One Direction became a global sensation, topping charts and selling out tours worldwide.

In 2016, after Malik's departure, the group announced an indefinite hiatus. Payne, like his former bandmates, pursued a solo career. He released his debut solo album "LP1" in 2019, following the success of his hit single "Strip That Down," which reached number three on the UK charts and number 10 on the US Billboard charts.

Payne also welcomed a son in 2017 with then-partner Cheryl Cole, a British singer and TV personality. In recent years, he had been open about his struggles with fame and alcoholism. In a 2023 video posted to his YouTube channel, Payne revealed that he had spent time in rehab and was working to overcome his addiction, acknowledging, "I kind of became somebody who I didn't really recognize anymore."

Most recently, Payne had been working on a second solo album and released a new single in March 2024. Just earlier this month, he attended a concert by his former bandmate Niall Horan in Buenos Aires, as reported by Billboard magazine.

Outside the hotel, 21-year-old fan Lena Duek reflected on the loss: "I feel like it's a part of adolescence lost," she said, adding that she had hoped for a One Direction reunion someday. The band's music had been the soundtrack to her teenage years