One Direction singer Liam Payne found dead in Buenos Aires

FILE PHOTO: Cast member Liam Payne arrives at the world premiere of "Ron's Gone Wrong" during the BFI Film Festival in London, Britain, October 9, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Cast member Liam Payne arrives at the world premiere of "Ron's Gone Wrong" during the BFI Film Festival in London, Britain, October 9, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne died outside a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, local police confirmed on Wednesday, saying the 31-year-old British musician was found dead after falling from his third floor hotel room balcony.

In a statement, the capital police said they were called to the hotel in the capital’s leafy Palermo neighbourhood where they were notified of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol.”

Emergency workers confirmed the death of the singer, who was reportedly found in the hotel’s interior patio.

“Our hearts are absolutely broken and we wish much light and strength for his family and loved ones,” MTV’s Latin American branch wrote in a post on social media platform X.

First responders arrive at the hotel where Liam Payne, former One Direction member, was found dead, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 16, 2024. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Payne rose to global fame as part of the since-disbanded pop band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.

The boy band got its start after finishing third on the British version of the X Factor music competition show in 2010, but the group broke up in 2016 as its members pursued different projects including solo careers.

Local news outlet Todo Noticias TV interviewed Hernan Palazzo, who works near the hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood, who said “The neighbourhood is very shaken up … There’s a lot of police, some fans arriving. It is very sad.”

FILE PHOTO: Members of the band One Direction (L-R), Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, arrive for Fox’s “The X Factor” Season Finale – Night 2 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 20, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Redmond/File Photo

Payne had earlier this month attended the concert of his former bandmate Niall Horan in Buenos Aires. The musician has been open in the media about struggling with addiction and spending time in a rehabilitation facility.

Earlier on Wednesday, Payne had appeared to post on Snapchat about his trip in Argentina, talking about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.

“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in the video.

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