The music world is in shock after the tragic passing of Liam Payne, a former member of the global sensation One Direction. Payne was found dead on Wednesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from the balcony of his hotel room. An autopsy has confirmed that the cause of death was trauma along with internal and external bleeding, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Days prior to the incident, Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, had left him in Argentina, providing a glimpse into the tumultuous nature of their relationship. They had traveled to Argentina earlier in the month to attend a show by Payne’s former bandmate Niall Horan. Initially planning a five-day trip, they had extended their stay to two weeks.
The investigation into Payne’s death has revealed a scene of chaos and potential drug and alcohol use. Authorities discovered evidence in his hotel room, including what appeared to be narcotics and alcoholic beverages, alongside damaged objects and furniture. Experts are currently working to determine the exact nature of the substances found.
The moments leading up to Payne’s fall were particularly alarming. A hotel manager made a frantic call to emergency services, reporting an unruly guest at Hotel CasaSur Palermo in Buenos Aires. The manager described Payne as “out of control” and “putting his life at risk,” urgently requesting assistance. Audio obtained by The Sun UK reveals the manager, named Esteban, stating that Payne was destroying his hotel room while under the influence of “drugs and alcohol.” He said, “We have a guest drunk with drugs and alcohol. When he is conscious, he is breaking everything in the room.”
Payne’s rise to fame began in 2010 when he auditioned for “The X Factor” alongside his future One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. Initially auditioning as solo artists, the five were grouped together to form a band, finishing third in the competition.
The band, signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment, became one of the highest-selling boy bands in history, selling over 70 million records worldwide before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2016. After the hiatus, Payne signed a solo record deal with Capitol Records U.K. and released music starting in 2017 with the single “Strip That Down,” featuring Migos rapper Quavo. His debut solo album, “LP1,” was released in December 2019. He recently released a new single, “Teardrops,” in March, with a second album on the way.
Payne’s untimely death has left fans, fellow musicians, and the entertainment industry in mourning. The investigation into his death continues as authorities seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.