The music industry is mourning the loss of Liam Payne, former singer of boy band One Direction, who died on Wednesday.
Payne, 31, fell from a hotel window in Buenos Aires, Argentina, police said. His former band members Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik had not addressed Payne’s death at the time of publication.
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Payne reportedly fell from the third floor into the internal courtyard of the Casa Sur hotel in the trendy Palermo district of the Argentine capital. Medics arrived quickly but pronounced him dead at the scene due to severe injuries.
According to Argentine media, Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend Horan’s concert.
On Wednesday afternoon, authorities received a call at 5:04 p.m. from the hotel manager, who said Payne was acting aggressively and may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to police. Responders from the 14B Police Station and Emergency Medical Attention System (SAME) arrived to find Payne’s body in the courtyard.
Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, cowriter on Payne’s 2017 song “Bedroom Floor,” posted a caption-free photo of the duo on his Instagram feed. He also shared pictures and videos with Payne on his Instagram Story.
“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 can not believe he is gone …,” Puth wrote. “I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”
DJ and producer Zedd, who collaborated with Payne on the 2017 song “Get Low,” posted to X, formerly Twitter: “RIP Liam … I can’t believe this is real … absolutely heartbreaking …”
Dan Richards, One Direction guitarist, also reacted to Payne’s death on his Instagram Story. “This all feels so surreal,” Richards wrote. “Thanks to everyone reaching out. Still trying to wrap my head around it all. My thoughts go out to Liam’s family at this time.”
One Direction hairstylist and makeup artist Lou Teasdale shared her thoughts on an Instagram Story as well, telling fans, “I hope you’re all ok.”
While not mentioning Payne by name, singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes posted on X shortly after the news of Payne’s death: “We take care of each other 🫂♥️.”
Paris Hilton wrote on X: “So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing [crying face emoji] Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. [praying hands emoji] RIP my friend [pleading face emoji].”
SAME paramedics confirmed Payne’s death shortly after their arrival at 5:11 p.m. The unit’s chief, Alberto Crescenti, later provided details in a television interview, saying that Payne had fallen from around 43 to 46 feet high.
“We were alerted via 911 about a person in the internal courtyard of the Casa Sur hotel,” Crescenti said. “By the time our team arrived, the man had already passed. Unfortunately, his injuries were fatal, and there was no possibility of resuscitation.”
A prosecutor and local authorities are investigating the singer’s death with assistance from the city police.
Pablo Policicchio, spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, told the Associated Press in a statement that Payne “had thrown himself from the balcony of his room.”
Update 10/16/24, 10:22 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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