The former member of One Direction has tragically passed away in Argentina, leaving everyone in shock.
Liam Payne, 31, died after falling from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, October 16. His unexpected death has sparked an official investigation to understand the circumstances of the tragic event that occurred at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel and the first details have emerged.
Payne was staying at the 4-star accommodation in the Latin American country when the fatal fall happened, according to police. Emergency services were called to the hotel to respond to a man acting erratically, possibly under the influence, as reported by Alberto Crescenti, the director of Buenos Aires Emergency Medical Services, to ABC News.
Crescenti added that Payne was found in the hotel’s inner courtyard, where he was pronounced dead on the scene. He further explained to the local media outlet TN that the singer fell from a height of 13 to 14 meters (42 to 45 feet) and described his injuries as “very serious” and “incompatible with life.”
Witnesses also reportedly told TMZ that Payne was acting erratically in the hotel lobby earlier in the day. Before the incident, there were allegations that he had destroyed his laptop and required assistance returning to his room.
Several hotel guests confirmed that the singer was seen falling from the third-floor balcony just after 5 p.m., although it remains unclear whether this was accidental or intentional.
Authorities quickly responded to the scene and set up a red tent over the scene as they began their investigation. Crescenti mentioned that emergency services arrived at 5:11 p.m., just a few minutes after the emergency call. Unfortunately, there was no possibility of saving Payne, whose identity was only confirmed after he was pronounced dead.
Payne had been in Argentina earlier in the month to reunite with his former One Direction bandmate, Niall Horan, who was having a concert. The 31-year-old singer had been a key member of the globally successful boy band, joining the group at age 16 when they were launched on “The X Factor.” They achieved massive international fame before disbanding in 2015.
Payne is survived by his son, Bear, whom he shares with singer Cheryl Cole. The couple confirmed they were expecting their first child in November 2016, with Bear born in 2017.
In a 2018 interview, Payne discussed the joys and challenges of fatherhood. “I always wanted to be a young dad, but I didn’t really expect that I’d ever be in this place,” he told People.