Former One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies After Fall From Hotel Balcony in Argentina
Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, has tragically died after falling from a CasaSur Hotel balcony in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Emergency services responded to a call about an "aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs or alcohol" at the hotel just after 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, said Payne’s injuries were “extremely serious,” and medics confirmed his death on the scene.
Payne had been visiting the city with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and had recently attended a concert by his former bandmate, Niall Horan. In a Snapchat video posted hours before his death, Payne described it as a "lovely day" in Argentina. It has since been discovered that the video was filmed earlier in the week.
Payne's journey to stardom began in 2010 on The X Factor, where he was grouped with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik to form One Direction. The band went on to release five albums and became one of the most successful boy bands in the world before going on indefinite hiatus in 2016. Payne also enjoyed solo success, with hits like “Strip That Down” and his collaboration with Rita Ora on “For You.”
Payne had openly discussed his struggles with fame, mental health, and alcoholism in recent years. He had been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and, in past interviews, spoke about how close he had come to not surviving his struggles. Despite this, he had recently been working on a second solo album, with his single “Teardrops” released in March this year.
Following his death, tributes poured in from fellow musicians and fans around the world. Max George from The Wanted called Payne’s death “absolutely devastating,” and Dermot O’Leary, who hosted The X Factor, remembered him as a “joy” and “always humble.” Many former collaborators, including Charlie Puth and Olly Murs, also expressed their grief.
Fans have been left heartbroken by the news, with many gathering outside the hotel to pay tribute. Some lit candles in his memory, while others expressed disbelief at his sudden death.
Payne leaves behind his seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he had with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl. Fans and friends have shared their love and condolences for his family, particularly for his young son, as they mourn the loss of one of music's brightest stars.
