Former One Direction star Liam Payne found dead

The former One Direction star Liam Payne was found dead outside of a Casa Sur hotel in Argentina after falling off a balcony. Photo Courtesy of MGN

By Vivienne Felber

Liam Payne, a singer who was a part of the chart-topping British boy band One Direction, was found dead after falling from a balcony at Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Ares, Argentina on Wednesday. Payne had been vacationing in Argentina since attending bandmate Niall Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires on October 2. 

Medics were able to confirm Payne’s death on the spot after saying he experienced “serious medical injuries” after falling from the third-floor balcony in Palermo, the trendy neighborhood in the capital of Argentina, said the Buenos Ares police in a statement. 

Just after 5 p.m., police rushed to the Buenos Ares Hotel in response to a 911 call. The call contained a warning stating an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.” 

Payne had been vocal about his struggle with alcoholism on YouTube. Payne posted a video to his channel in July of 2023 explaining he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment for his addiction. 

On the 911 call, the hotel manager can be heard stating “A guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol … He’s destroying the entire room and, well, we need you to send someone, please.” 

Payne’s autopsy revealed he suffered both internal and external hemorrhages.

Payne’s One Direction bandmates shared a joint statement on their band social media account Thursday evening, saying, “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.”

Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles also shared tributes to their bandmate on their personal accounts.