Liam Payne, who gained global fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, has died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. The 31-year-old English singer’s death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians around the world.
Fans of the globally successful band gathered outside the hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires to sing his songs and celebrate his life. Payne had been staying at the CasaSur hotel when police were called about a disturbance. A statement from the police noted they were responding to reports of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol.” Upon arrival, they found that a man had fallen from a balcony.
Liam Payne had spoken publicly in the past about his struggles with mental health and alcohol use. One Direction, formed on the British version of The X Factor in 2010, went on hiatus in 2016, with its members pursuing solo careers. Payne’s last single, “Teardrop,” was released in March of this year.
Tributes poured in from fans and those who had worked with Payne, including one emotional statement from a collaborator who said, “I cannot believe he is gone.”
The British Foreign Office has confirmed it is in contact with Argentine authorities regarding the incident. Further details surrounding Payne’s death remain unclear.
Source: Reuters
