Liam Payne's tragic fall in Buenos Aires shocks the world

A former member of the popular band One Direction, 31-year-old Liam Payne, tragically died after falling from a balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel, located in the fashionable Palermo district of Argentina's capital. The incident occurred just after 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Local authorities reported that Payne fell from the third floor of the building, suffering "very severe injuries" that led to his death on the spot.

According to a statement released by the Buenos Aires police, officers were called to the hotel following an alarm report about "an aggressive man possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol."

An emergency call recording obtained by the Associated Press features the voice of the hotel manager talking about "a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol. He's destroying the entire room." As time passed, the manager grew increasingly concerned, mentioning the room's balcony. Shortly thereafter, the worst occurred.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the national medical emergency system, reported that efforts are underway to determine the exact circumstances of his death, and the singer's body has been subjected to an autopsy.

The news of the artist's death quickly spread across the media, sparking a wave of shock and sadness, especially among fans of One Direction. Crowds of Payne's admirers gathered outside the Casa Sur Hotel, laying flowers and lighting candles. As more people arrived, long queues formed, leading to the street in front of the hotel being barricaded by the police.

"I didn't think he was going to die so young," said 21-year-old Isabella Milesi, quoted by the Associated Press.

"I’ve always loved One Direction since I was little.To see that he died and that there will never be another reunion of the boys is unbelievable, it kills me, another fan," 18-year-old Juana Relh, revealed.

Payne gained worldwide fame as a member of One Direction, one of the most recognizable bands of recent years. The band was formed in 2010 during "The X Factor" show, where Simon Cowell and other judges united five young solo artists—Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne—creating one of the most popular music groups of the decade. Although they didn't win the show, their popularity exploded, earning One Direction a massive fan base, particularly among young girls known as "Directioners."

Payne, who came from Wolverhampton in England, was known as a responsible band member. He created many of the band's hits, including "What Makes You Beautiful" and "Story of My Life."

After One Direction disbanded in 2016, Payne pursued a solo career, focusing on EDM and hip-hop music. His 2017 single "Strip That Down," recorded in collaboration with rapper Quavo, reached high positions on the charts.

Privately, Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, whose mother is the musician's ex-girlfriend, Cheryl Cole. The couple broke up a few years after the child's birth. Payne was also engaged to Maya Henry. Their relationship did not withstand the test of time and ended in 2022.

The artist publicly admitted to struggling with alcoholism. In July 2023, he published a video on his YouTube channel discussing six months of sobriety after completing therapy.

Liam Payne's death leaves profound sorrow among fans and loved ones, including his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola. The tragedy in Buenos Aires casts a new light on the singer's struggles, who for years battled with addictions and the pressure of life in the spotlight.