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Liam Payne, former member of the globally renowned boyband One Direction, has passed away at the age of 31 after a fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Local police confirmed the incident, which occurred at a hotel in the Palermo district. Payne leaves behind his seven-year-old son, Bear.
Emergency services were called by hotel staff before the fall, expressing concerns over Payne’s behavior, citing heavy drug and alcohol use. In an emergency call obtained by media, the hotel manager noted the star was “tearing the whole room apart” and expressed fears that his room’s balcony posed a danger.
Payne gained fame as a member of One Direction, which formed on the British reality show The X Factor in 2010. The group, consisting of Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, became one of the best-selling boybands of all time. However, the pressures of stardom took a toll on Payne, who struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues, which he openly discussed in interviews.

Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zane Malik and Niall Horan are seen during an X Factor press conference in London in 2010. Ian
Despite the band’s 2016 hiatus, Payne pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album LP1 in 2019. He recently celebrated six months of sobriety and was preparing to release his second album.
Tributes have poured in from Payne’s former bandmates and fans. Many gathered outside the hotel in Buenos Aires for a vigil, lighting candles and singing One Direction’s song “Infinity.” Fans and fellow celebrities alike have expressed shock and grief, with heartfelt messages being shared across social media.
Payne is survived by his son Bear, whom he shares with singer Cheryl Tweedy. The couple had parted ways in 2018 but continued to co-parent their child.