Liam Payne, musician and former One Direction member, dead at 31

Multiple news outlets are reporting that Liam Payne, the British musician and former member of One Direction, has died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old.

According to a statement from Buenos Aires police to the Associated Press, Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, located in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in "extremely serious injuries." Medics confirmed his death at the scene, the statement added.

Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the Buenos Aires municipality's Security Ministry, informed the Associated Press that Payne "had thrown himself from the balcony of his room." He noted that police were sent to the hotel in response to an emergency call regarding "an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol." Upon arrival, officers heard a thud and discovered Payne's body in the hotel courtyard, Policicchio stated.

The news initially broke in Argentinian media, which reported that authorities were investigating whether the death was accidental or self-inflicted.

Alberta Crescenti, the director of Buenos Aires’ ambulance service, confirmed the death to the TN outlet, stating, “He had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall.” He declined to answer further inquiries but confirmed that an autopsy would be conducted.

Payne had openly discussed his struggles with alcoholism, posting a video in July 2023 on his YouTube channel where he mentioned being sober for six months after receiving treatment.

Global News has contacted Payne’s representatives for confirmation but has not received a response yet.

Born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1993, Payne gained fame as part of the now-disbanded pop group One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.

The five singers were brought together in 2010 by record executive Simon Cowell after they each failed to advance as solo acts in the British singing competition The X Factor. The newly formed boy band finished third in the competition and enjoyed a hugely successful career, selling 70 million records globally. They developed a loyal fan base, particularly among teenage girls, known as “Directioners.”

Their debut album reached number two on the British charts and hit number one in the United States, producing Top 10 Billboard hits like “That’s What Makes You Beautiful” and “One Thing.” The group’s next four albums also topped the charts in both countries and several others.

One Direction disbanded in 2016 as its members pursued individual projects, including solo careers. Payne released his first studio album, LP1, in 2019, with his last single, “Teardrops,” released in March.

Argentinian media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend a concert by his former bandmate Horan.

He is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend, musician Cheryl, who was known as Cheryl Cole during her time with Girls Aloud and served as an X Factor judge during One Direction’s season. He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, as well as his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.