Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room, according to Argentine police on Wednesday.
The police reported that they were called to the hotel in the upscale Palermo neighborhood due to reports of an “aggressive man who might be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.” The hotel manager stated that he heard a loud noise from the back of the hotel, and when the police arrived, they discovered a man had fallen from his balcony.
Emergency workers confirmed the death of the 31-year-old British singer, who was reportedly found in the hotel’s interior courtyard.
American singer Charlie Puth expressed his shock on Instagram, stating, “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone.”
US music channel MTV, streaming service Spotify, and the BRIT Awards all shared their condolences on social media, mourning his loss.
Payne had a son named Bear with British TV personality and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl in 2017.
Neither Payne’s record label, Republic Records, nor its parent company, Universal Music Group, could be reached for immediate comment. According to audio obtained from the Buenos Aires security ministry, police had received a call from a hotel worker requesting urgent assistance with an intoxicated guest.
“When he is conscious, he is destroying the entire room, and we need you to send someone,” the worker said, warning that the guest’s life was at risk due to the balcony.
Emergency responders removed the body from the hotel to take it to the morgue, while fans and onlookers who had gathered in the early evening expressed their grief, some hugging and crying, and later erupted into applause.
