Details of 911 call before Liam Payne fell to his death revealed, family pay tribute
Liam Payne’s family say they are heartbroken at the 31-year-old former One Direction band member’s sudden death, as authorities in Argentina continue their investigation.
Details have been revealed of a 911 call made by concerned staff at the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires before Payne fell from the third floor, suffering what police said were “extremely serious injuries”.
“We are heartbroken,” the singer’s family said in a short statement released by his management.
From X Factor hopeful to breakout star: Liam Payne’s life
“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.”
Fans gathered outside the hotel on Costa Rica Street in the Palermo neighbourhood, lighting candles and shedding tears in the hours after the singer’s death.
Musician fell from balcony, police say
Local media reports that officers from the Comisaría Vecinal 14 B police station received a call regarding a man acting aggressively, potentially under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Hotel staff had requested urgent police assistance shortly before Payne fell, according to a 911 call obtained by CNN’s local affiliate Todo Noticias.
“We have a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol,” the hotel manager said on the call.
“He breaks things up. He is tearing the whole room apart.”
The manager said they needed “someone to be sent to us urgently”, as staff didn’t know “if the guest’s life is at risk”.
Hotel staff could not enter the room, where the guest had been staying “for two or three days”, the manager said on the call.
Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality spokesperson Pablo Policicchio said police were dispatched to the hotel in response to an emergency call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Payne was found by police in the hotel’s internal courtyard after police heard a thud.
He was staying in room 10, according to local media reports.
Paramedics then confirmed the death of the musician.
Head of the local emergency services Alberto Crescenti told the Buenos Aires Times that “there was no possibility” for emergency personnel to save Payne’s life.
Crescenti said he had “very serious injuries”.
“He had very serious injuries that caused his death, such as a fracture at the base of the skull,” he said.
The fall from the balcony is understood to be around 13 to 14 metres.
Police are currently investigating the incident at the Casa Sur hotel and remain at the scene, together with a forensic investigator.
Local media have also reported Payne had arrived in the country on September 30.
He reportedly attended a show by his former bandmate Niall Horan at the Movistar Arena on October 2.
Payne was posting on social media app Snapchat hours before his death.
“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in the video.
A meteoric rise
Payne rose to fame as a member of One Direction, a boy band formed on the British television series The X Factor in 2010.
After each singer failed to make it through the competition as solo acts, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges combined Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson into one of the best-selling boy groups of all time.
The X Factor released an official statement saying Payne would leave a lasting legacy.
“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” the program said on X.
“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”
The band became known for their pop sound and romantic hits like What Makes You Beautiful.
They had six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts by the time they disbanded in 2016.
They had a loyal fan base, many of whom were teen girls, who became known as “Directioners”.
One Direction announced they were taking a hiatus in 2015.
Payne later released his debut solo album in 2019 titled LP1. In March, Payne released his LP Teardrops.
He had been open about past struggles with substance abuse and talked about completing treatment and being six months sober in the summer of 2023.
Payne had a seven-year-old son named Bear, who he shared with former Girls Aloud singing group member Cheryl Cole.
Since October 2022, Payne had been in a relationship with Kate Cassidy.
Tributes flow for One Direction star
Heartbroken fans have flocked to the hotel, forming lines on the street, to remember the late musician.
“I didn’t think he was going to die so young,” 21-year-old Isabella Milesi told The Associated Press.
Video and images show the cordoned-off street outside the hotel.
Fellow celebrities have also begun to share tributes.
Paris Hilton sent love and condolences to Payne’s family and friends, in a message posted on X.
“So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, MTV said the organisation was “deeply saddened” to learn of Payne’s passing.
“During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved ones, and fans,” they said.
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