Liam Payne death: One Direction bandmates ‘devastated’, autopsy shows cause of death after hotel fall

Liam Payne died of multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by a fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, the Argentinian prosecutor’s office has said. An autopsy showed that the pop star’s head injuries were sufficient to cause death.
An ongoing investigation – including the interview of five witnesses in an attempt to reconstruct the 31-year-old’s final hours – indicated that he was alone at the time of the fall. Substances were seized from Payne’s hotel room indicating alcohol and drug consumption.
Payne’s One Direction bandmates have said they are “completely devastated” by the news of his death, adding: “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.”
In a statement signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry”, they said: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.
“For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
“We will miss him terribly.
“We love you Liam.”
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Local police said the 31-year-old fell into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, before medics confirmed his death.
According to police in the capital, officers were initially responding to reports “of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
In audio from a call made by hotel staff to the emergency services, and being widely reported, a staff member asked for assistance for a guest they said whose “life may be in danger”.
The person on the call also told the operator that the guest was “trashing the entire room” adding: “We need you to send someone, please.”
The local Buenos Aires prosecution office, led by prosecutor Andres Esteban and secretary Maria Florencia Lavaggi, confirmed to the PA news agency it is leading the investigation into Payne’s death.
Pictures showed shocked fans gathering outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area, with forensic investigators in white protective suits and blue gloves seen entering and leaving.
Fans were photographed lighting candles and leaving flowers at the side of the road in an impromptu vigil as they paid tribute to the music star.
Payne’s death comes after it was widely reported that his ex-fiancee, Maya Henry, had started legal proceedings, allegedly issuing a cease and desist letter for repeated contact.
[ Liam Payne’s death is a tragic end to the story of five cheeky boys who charmed millionsOpens in new window ]
[ After One Direction, Liam Payne was just getting started. His death is a heartbreaking endOpens in new window ]
The US model, who was engaged to Payne from August 2020 until he announced their separation in June 2021, claimed in a recent TikTok video that, since their break-up, the singer would “blow up my phone” from different numbers.
In the hours before his death, a video was posted on Payne’s Snapchat account, saying: “It’s a lovely day here in Argentina.”
The UK foreign office confirmed it is in contact with authorities in Argentina “regarding reports of the death of a British man”. But a spokesman declined to comment any further, including on the identity of the man involved.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, told Radio Mitre that Payne fell 13-14m into the inside patio in the hotel, and died instantly from the fall. He added a postmortem examination will determine the cause of death. – Additional reporting Guardian
See our live coverage of the tributes as they rolled in on Thursday below.
Liam Payne’s family issued a statement saying they were “heartbroken”, adding: “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.” – Additional reporting Guardian
McFly and Busted stars have remembered Liam Payne as “such a nice human” and reflected on the pressures of being in the spotlight when in a boy band.
The McBusted supergroup previously supported One Direction on tour, the group which Payne rose to fame in alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, McFly’s Danny Jones said: “It’s super sad. Such a nice human and it was amazing to know the guys. And I feel for his family, I feel for the band, feel for the boys, and I’m shocked. I’m genuinely shocked.”
Busted’s Charlie Simpson, who started his musical career when he was aged 16, reflected on the pressures of being thrust into the limelight in a boy band.
“It is really tough. I think that especially today with social media and the pressure that comes with it now that wasn’t around when we started, I think that makes it even tougher”, he said.
Fellow Busted bandmate Matt Willis also remembered Payne as “such a lovely bloke”, adding: “Music is so powerful and I think what One Direction achieved was unbelievable, so incredible. They’ve got such an amazing history of music, it’s a beautiful thing music.”
The death of any young person is traumatic, but when it’s a celebrity it can be particularly shocking as so much of their life is out in the open. Experts have weighed in on how to approach Liam Payne’s death with younger fars.
“Social media often plays out a celebrity’s final moments and young people might find themselves trawling through lots of old pictures and footage which can be upsetting,” says Lynn Crilly, counsellor, author and wellbeing expert. “Liam spoke about his own struggles which many young people suffer from as well, so the connection felt stronger, and they could relate to him.”
Teenagers in particular feel very attached to their idols, so often find it difficult when someone in the spotlight dies.
“For many, this may be the first loss they have experienced and suddenly they are faced with a mix of emotions and don’t know how to process them,” explains Chris Meaden, hypnotherapist and trauma specialist. “A celebrity they admire is a key part of childhood and when this person is suddenly and unexpectedly taken away, it can feel like a major loss, leaving a child to feel abandoned, scared and angry, as well as a deep sadness they have not felt before.”
Here are some ways parents can support their children after a sudden or shocking loss.
Acknowledge their feelings
Just because they didn’t know the celebrity personally, don’t be dismissive of their feelings.
“Let your child know that it’s okay to be upset or feel a mix of emotions,” advises Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. “Reassure them that their grief is valid, even if the loss seems distant.”
Get rid of any distractions
“No one knows a child better than their parents or carers,” says Crilly. “Put aside quality quiet time to talk about it with them with no phones, or screens. Give them your whole attention.”
Create a safe environment
“Creating an environment where they feel trusted, safe and respected will help them open up,” says Crilly. “Some parents find that a car journey can be a good place to conduct tricky conversations, allowing youngsters to talk without the full glare of their parents’ attention on them.”
Be an active listener
Sometimes our children just want someone to vent to, so make sure you don’t interrupt them and inundate them with solutions.
“Offer a safe space where they can share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment,” recommends Touroni. “Sometimes just being there and listening is the most supportive thing you can do.”
Talk about loss gently
“Help them understand that grief is a natural response to loss,” says Touroni. “You can use this as an opportunity to talk about how they might feel and how grief can take time to process.”
Encourage them to be present and spend less time on their phones
Obsessing over old social media posts isn’t healthy, so encourage them to spend less time of their phones.
“Encourage them to spend less time on their devices and to get out and about,” recommends Crilly. “Also make time for doing things together.”
Share your own experiences
“If you have been through this in your own childhood when one of your idols died, you can share how you felt to normalise their feelings,” says Meaden.
Find a way to keep their memory alive
“Ask them if they have any questions and how they would like to think about and remember that person and keep their memory alive,” suggests Crilly.
Encourage healthy expression
It’s really important that they don’t suppress their emotions and feelings.
“Suggest writing, drawing, or even engaging in physical activities as ways to help release emotions,” recommends Touroni. “Encourage them to talk with friends or trusted adults if they need to.”
Remind them they you are there
“Remind them they are you there to support them anytime and that is it okay to feel they way they do,” suggests Meaden. “Grief has no timeline.” -PA
Britain’s Got Talent has announced it will be postponing auditions for the show following the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne.
A spokesman for the programme’s producer, Freemantle UK, said: “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions.
“Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and all who loved him.”
The producer did not say when the auditions will resume.
It comes after the programme’s latest round of auditions were held in Blackpool on Wednesday.
Liam Payne has spoken frequently about his mental health issues.
His early days in One Direction had been filled with “pills and booze” and “moments of suicidal ideation”.
He was glad when One Direction quit in 2016 revealing: “I know a lot of people are going to be mad at me for saying that, but I needed to stop or it would kill me.”
In May 2023, Payne, who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, announced he had been 100 days sober.
However, hotel staff reported that an “aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol”. Local media outlets reported that Payne had been seen “acting erratically in the hotel lobby and smashed his laptop’ before he ‘had to be carried back to his room”, reports the Mirror.
Former X Factor contestant Mary Byrne shot to fame in 2010 when she appeared on the show.
She went from the checkouts at her local Tesco in Ballyfermot to singing in front of millions of people on that series.
She competed with One Direction who, at that stage, were just teenagers while she was 51 in 2010.
She shared a house with One Direction during the show where she was known as “the Mammy”.
“You could say I was with them (One Direction) for nearly a year. We went to live together for three months,” she said.
“They were young lads and I always felt I was the Mammy of the house. I was shocked when I heard it last night. Liam always gave me the impression that he was the one with his head on his shoulders.
“To think that this young man, at 31 years of age, has gone down a road that is so dark and couldn’t come back for some reason, it’s heartbreaking,” she told RTÉ Radio1′s Today with Claire Byrne programme.
“In this business, when you become that big in such a short time, you need people around you that are going to hold you and keep you grounded.
“Obviously somewhere along the line that all stopped for Liam.”
Celebrity gossip website TMZ was the first to publish the news that Liam Payne had died.
They posted pictures of his body lying on the street which has outraged his fans.
Music writer and broadcaster Matt Charlton told LBC that it was “one of the most irresponsible bits of journalism I’ve ever seen”.
To compare TMZ to vultures would be too kind to vultures as they have a function in the environment, he suggested. “Vultures have a function. These people are the worst example of humanity”.
The pressures of fame which may have contributed to Liam Payne’s premature death have been referenced by many people around the music industry today.
Former X Factor and Big Brother contestant Katie Waissel, who has set up a charity to deal with mental health issues in the music industry, said Payne’s death was a “painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry”.
Echoing comments made by ex-Boyzone singer Mikey Graham that record companies need to employ psychologists to help artists navigate the pressures of fame, she said on X: “There are those who had a responsibility to provide the care and support necessary for the wellbeing of young artists, but too often, the focus remained on profits rather than the people. “This industry has treated talent like commodities, and the negligence of duty of care has once again led to a heart-wrenching loss. We need only look at Simon Cowell’s recent interview with Steven Bartlett, where he admits his greatest regret was not owning the band’s name.
“The real regret should be the failure to prioritise the emotional and physical welfare of the artists who put their trust in these institutions. Contracts, whether they are for television shows or record deals, come with a legal and moral duty of care that must be upheld.”
Liam Payne was in Buenos Aires to see his erstwhile bandmate Niall Horan in concert. He posted footage from Horan’s Tuesday night concert in the Argentinian capital.
He was seen singing and dancing along with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy (25).
So far neither Horan nor their most famous bandmate Harry Styles have commented on Payne’s death though Styles’ mother Anne Twist wrote a three word tribute on her Instagram page, “Just a boy” with a broken heart emoji.
Ex-Boyzone band member Mikey Graham has suggested that record companies should employ psychologists to help musicians and singers with the pressure of fame.
Graham’s posted on X “Rip Liam Payne. Such tragic news. I think it would be a wise move for record companies to have psychologists on their books from now on in his memory as a duty of care for the vulnerability of their young talent. Fame can be very damaging especially in today’s world. Lots of money. Nobody to help. Lots of yes people. Nobody honest.”
Graham should know having been a member of a very successful boy band from 1993 when he was 21. Boyzone was hit by tragedy when band member Stephen Gatley died suddenly in 2009 albeit of natural causes.
The world of music has seen many who experienced the pressures of fame young and could not cope with it. Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Prince, Janice Joplin, Sinéad O’Connor and Amy Winehouse are among those who died young or relatively young.
A study carried out by the University of Sydney in 2014 found professional musicians had a life expectancy up to 25 years shorter, depending on genre, than the wider population.
In August last year, Payne postponed his scheduled tour of South America after suffering from a “serious kidney infection”.
He said the infection was something “I wouldn’t wish on anyone” and he had been instructed by doctors to “rest and recover”. Later last year he was banned from driving in the UK after admitting a speeding offence.
The singer was reportedly travelling at 43mph in a 30mph zone and was banned from driving for six months, as well as paying a fine, in October 2023.
In the hours after news of Payne’s death filtered out in Argentina, hundreds of fans arrived to the hotel to pay tribute. Dozens of police gathered to control the crowd, who lit candles, mourned and applauded as the singer’s remains were taken away. – Agencies
Tributes were paid overnight to the singer by people in the world of music and entertainment, including X Factor host Dermot O’Leary, who shared a photograph of the pair on stage on Instagram captioned, “The worst news”.
“I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing,” he wrote.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, said he was “lost for words”, describing Payne’s death as “devastating” on Instagram.
Fellow boy band the Backstreet Boys also paid tribute, saying their hearts go out to “Directioners around the world”.
A statement on X added: “Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.”
Former X Factor duo Jedward also paid tribute to singer. In a social media post on X, the pair sent “strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One Direction family”. John and Edward Grimes, known as Jedward, started their careers on the same reality TV show that launched One Direction.
Tributes have been paid to former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died at a hotel in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires overnight.
Local police said the 31-year-old British musician fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina’s capital before medics confirmed his death, in a statement to media.
The UK’s foreign office confirmed it is in contact with authorities in Argentina “regarding reports of the death of a British man”.
Payne was part of the original line-up of the world-famous boy band One Direction, formed in 2010, alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles.
After becoming one of the biggest pop groups in the world with five albums and four world tours, they went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.
Payne released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019 which included the singles Polaroid and Familiar.
He and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl share a son Bear, born in 2017, having been in a high-profile relationship between 2016 and 2018.
Police responded to an emergency call from the hotel manager who had become concerned for the singer’s welfare, the Associated Press reported.
Pictures showed shocked fans gathering outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area with forensic investigators seen entering and exiting in white protective suits and blue gloves.
The fans were photographed lighting candles and adorning the side of the road with flowers in an impromptu vigil as they paid tribute to the beloved music star.