According to state police, the One Direction singer fell from the balcony of the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this afternoon.
They responded to an emergency call and went to the hotel. Upon arriving at the scene, the police officer in charge said they heard a loud noise in the courtyard.
“Our mission was to arrive quickly on the scene, provide treatment and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were not life-threatening,” Alberto Crescenti, head of Buenos Aires’ SAME emergency medical services, told TV channel TN.
Payne’s cause of death has yet to be determined as autopsy results are still pending. “But from what the team has seen, he appears to have had a fractured skull and very serious injuries that would have caused instant death,” Crescenti added.
Mr Payne was dead when emergency services arrived and a coroner was sent to the scene. Police said the body was taken to the mortuary.
Police were called to the scene following “reports of an aggressive male who may be under the influence of drugs and alcohol”.
The Foreign Office confirmed it was in liaison with local authorities in Argentina “surrounding reports of the death of a British national”. A crowd of 4,444 fans then gathered outside the hotel, which had been cordoned off with police tape. All the curtains in the building were closed after the tragedy.
The Guardian reported that many people burst into tears and looked at the hotel in disbelief.
“It’s such a shame. I remember being bullied a lot at school as a child and his songs helped me through it. I’m devastated.” “I came as soon as I heard the news,” fan Martina Belaustogui, 26, told the magazine.
Earlier this month, Payne attended a Niall Horan concert in Argentina. He danced with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy at the show, which took place at the Movistar Arena on October 2.
The singer was 16 when he joined One Direction in 2010, having been selected for the group alongside Niall, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson during an audition for The X Factor.
They became global stars with hits such as “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life” and “Night Changes.” Together they achieved four number one albums in the UK, four number one singles and worldwide fame.
After announcing the band’s hiatus in 2016, Payne began releasing solo material. These include the 2017 single “Strip That Down” and the 2019 album “LP1”. He also collaborated with Rita Ora on “For You”, part of the “Fifty Shades Freed” soundtrack. He was due to release a second solo album this year, but plans have reportedly been called off.
Payne is survived by his son Bear, born in 2017, with his former partner Cheryl, who he dated from 2015 to 2018.
He last spoke publicly about Bear on his 31st birthday in August. “I’m going to talk to my son about it now. I’m really looking forward to it,” he sweetly said in an Instagram video.
‘Bless him. He’s getting so big now. He’s a big boy and he looks like a mini me.’
Tributes for Mr Payne began as fans and friends learned of the shocking news.
“Rest in peace Liam Payne our deepest condolences to his friends and family,” said brothers John and Edward Grimes, known as Jedward.
Rylan, of X Factor fame, wrote: “So tragic, so young. Rest in peace Liam.”
Dermot O’Leary, who previously hosted the ITV singing competition, said: “It’s the worst news ever.” I remember him coming in to audition for X Factor when he was 14 and surprising us with a Sinatra song. He just loved to sing.
“He was always fun, had time for everyone, was gracious, grateful and always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx.”
Paris Hilton wrote: “So shocked to hear of @LiamPayne’s passing. Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones.” Rest in peace, my friend.” Stephen Bartlett described the news as “utterly heartbreaking.”
The official Brit Awards account said in a statement: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Liam Payne.” Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this time. One Direction won three Brit Awards during their time together. 4,444 fans also paid tribute to Payne in his final Instagram post.
Last August, Payne suffered a “severe kidney infection” and postponed his planned South American tour.
He said the infection was something he “wouldn’t want to happen to anyone” and that his doctors had advised him to “rest and recover”.
Payne had previously said he had gone through “very dark times”. “I had a very dark few years where I was in extreme danger due to various mental health issues,” he told the BBC.
After his relationship with Cheryl ended, Payne began a relationship with Maya Henry and eventually proposed marriage to her. He reportedly recently received a cease and desist letter from Maya for “persistent” contact.
Payne was born in Wolverhampton in 1993 to Karen, a neonatal nurse, and Jeff, a mechanic.
He first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008, but judge Simon Cowell asked him to come back after two years.
He auditioned again in 2010 as a solo artist, but ended up being in a group. One Direction was formed, coming third behind Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson. Though they didn’t win, they did manage to become one of the most successful boy bands of all time.
