PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 01: Liam Payne is seen on March 01, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)
More details have surfaced in the hours since the world learned that Liam Payne passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Oct. 16. The ‘One Direction’ singer died after falling from a three-story hotel balcony.
Updated reports include insight into the incident from the preliminary autopsy report and the local police force. He was 31 and is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear Grey.
As previously reported, the 31-year-old reportedly died shortly after 5 p.m. in the South American country. The incident occurred at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood. Medical professionals later pronounced him dead on the spot.
Pablo Policicchio is the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry. Policicchio provided a statement to the Associated Press, seemingly confirming that the fall wasn’t accidental. The director is quoted as saying Liam “jumped from the balcony of his room.”
Before Payne allegedly jumped, the hotel manager had called the police for “a guest who [was] overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol.” The manager reportedly added that the guest was “destroying the entire room” and requested an officer on site. AP reviewed the 911 call, noting that the manager sounded “more anxious” as the call progressed and did mention the balcony in the room.
TMZ reported on Wednesday (Oct. 16) that witnesses saw Liam acting erratically in the hotel lobby before his death. He had allegedly smashed his laptop and had to be accompanied to his room. The 911 call from the hotel manager seemingly occurred after that escort to his room.
Note that in 2021, Payne revealed his previous addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs as a One Direction group member. He also confirmed during his appearance on the ‘Diary of a CEO’ podcast that drinking and drugging influenced suicide ideation.
CNN reviewed the preliminary autopsy report of Liam Payne’s body. According to the outlet, the One Direction performer died from multiple injuries, which include “internal and external hemorrhage.” However, a toxicology report is still reportedly pending.TMZ obtained photos that show Payne’s body lying on a deck near tables and chairs.
PEOPLE reports that the head of Buenos Aires’ public emergency medical services systems also gave insight into Liam’s injuries. Alberto Crescenti said the One Direction singer sustained a “fracture at the base of the skull” after the fall.
As previously reported, Liam shared content on the day he died on his Snapchat Stories. The footage included videos and selfies that featured his girlfriend Kate Cassidy. The couple, per TMZ, had arrived in Argentina on Sept. 30. Kate stayed in the country until Oct. 14 before leaving, but Liam opted to stay behind and checked into the hotel where he died.It’s unclear whether or why Liam shared the content featuring his girlfriend to his Snapchat days after she departed.
Snapchat recap aside, Liam Payne’s family has also spoken out about his sudden death. In a statement to BBC, nonspecific family members revealed that they felt “heartbroken” by the death.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul,” the statement said. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
