Former One Direction star Liam Payne dies after fall from hotel floor

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Former One Direction singer Liam Payne died after falling from a hotel floor in Argentina. 

Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne, 31, fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina's capital, resulting in "extremely serious injuries." Medics confirmed his death on the spot, the statement said.

Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Payne "had jumped from the balcony of his room." Police rushed to the hotel in response to an emergency call just after 5 p.m. local time, he said, warning of an "aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

The hotel manager can be heard on a 911 call obtained by the AP saying they had "a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol ... He’s destroying the entire room and, well, we need you to send someone, please." The manager's voice became more anxious as the call went on, noting the room had a balcony.

Liam Payne is seen on March 01, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel that Payne fell into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital. 

Crescenti declined to answer further questions about the incident, including whether Payne jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.

Argentine media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

Liam Payne and mental health 

Payne had opened up about his mental health and addiction issues while at the height of 1D mania in 2021, according to FOX News. He also confessed that while isolating at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, he turned back to alcohol. 

He told Steven Barlett on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast that many of his days were filled with "pills and booze" and he had "moments of suicidal ideation."

Liam Payne and his family

Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend, the musician Cheryl who was known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud. He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola. Representatives for Payne did not immediately return emails and calls.

Who are One Direction?

Payne was part of One Direction from 2010 to 2015 with other members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik. He was just 16 years old when the band formed. 

One Direction formed in 2010 after five teenagers — Styles, Payne, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik — auditioned individually for the British TV talent show "The X Factor." Simon Cowell had the idea of putting them together as a boy band.

They didn’t win the competition, but they went on to top the charts and win young hearts around the world with their cheeky personalities and perky pop.

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."