Source: CNN : Liam Payne, former member of the boyband One Direction, has tragically passed away at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to local police. Payne leaves behind his seven-year-old son, Bear.
Police were called to the hotel after emergency services received a report from staff in the city’s Palermo neighborhood, where Payne had been staying. Staff had previously requested urgent police assistance, as Payne was reportedly acting erratically due to drug and alcohol use. According to an emergency call obtained by CNN’s Argentine affiliate Todo Noticias, the hotel manager expressed concerns for Payne’s safety, especially since his room had a balcony.
Payne rose to global fame as a member of One Direction, the wildly popular boyband formed on the British version of The X Factor in 2010. Alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, Payne became a global sensation before the group went on an “indefinite hiatus” in 2016.
Earlier this month, Payne was spotted in Argentina attending his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert. CNN has reached out to Payne’s representatives, as well as his former bandmates, for comment.
Tributes have poured in following Liam Payne’s tragic death, leaving fans and the music industry in shock. The news dominated UK newspapers on Thursday morning, with heartfelt messages from celebrities around the world.
Harry Styles’ mother, Anne Twist, posted a broken heart emoji on Instagram with the caption, “Just a boy,” while former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary shared a touching tribute, recalling Payne’s impressive audition as a 14-year-old. “He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and humble,” O’Leary wrote.
In Buenos Aires, fans held a vigil outside the hotel where Liam Payne passed away. Yamila Zacarias, a 25-year-old fan, expressed how One Direction had been a significant part of her life: “I wanted to be part of something bigger, and One Direction and being a Directioner was that for me.” Behind her, grieving fans lit candles and sang One Direction’s song “Infinity” in memory of Payne.
Liam Payne is survived by his son, Bear, whom he shared with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole. Cole, an X Factor judge during Payne’s audition years, co-parented Bear with Payne after their split in 2018. Payne often spoke of his deep love for his son, mentioning in a 2023 YouTube video, “He’s awesome. He’s growing up far too quickly… He’s far more smart than I think I’ll ever be. He’s a wonder.”
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