Liam Payne, a former member of the globally renowned British band One Direction, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to local authorities. The Buenos Aires police reported that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, situated in the trendy Palermo district of Argentina’s capital, suffering “extremely severe injuries.” Medical personnel confirmed his death at the scene, according to an official statement. In a 911 call obtained by AP, a hotel manager described Payne as “a guest overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol… He’s destroying the entire room, and we need someone to come quickly.”

The manager’s tone grew more urgent during the call, mentioning that the room had a balcony. Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical service, told Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV that authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death and conducting an autopsy. Payne had been open about his struggles with alcohol addiction and shared a video on his YouTube channel in July 2023, where he revealed that he had been sober for six months following treatment. Payne’s representatives have yet to respond to requests for comment. Following the news, dozens of One Direction fans gathered at the Casa Sur Hotel, forming long lines that stretched down the street, which was cordoned off by police. Forensic investigators were seen leaving the hotel, and Payne’s body was removed about three hours after the fall. Fans, many of them young women, filmed the scene with their phones, expressing shock and grief. Outside the hotel, an impromptu memorial quickly emerged, complete with candles and flowers. “I never thought he’d die so young,” said Isabella Milesi, 21, one of the fans present. Payne was one of the five original members of One Direction, a group formed after auditioning for the British singing competition “The X Factor” in 2010. Two years earlier, Payne had attempted to join the show but didn’t succeed. During his second audition at age 16, he performed Michael Bublé’s “Cry Me a River,” initially nervous but gradually warmed by the audience’s applause. After each member failed to progress as solo contestants, Simon Cowell and fellow judges decided to unite Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson into a new group that became one of the most successful boy bands in history, despite losing the competition. 🌎 Liam Payne’s Mother: “I Heard My Son and His Girlfriend Arguing Loudly, and Then…”

Each member of the band brought their unique personality, with Payne, originally from Wolverhampton, England, often seen as the responsible one. One Direction gained fame for its pop sound and romantic hits like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Night Changes,” and “Story of My Life.” Payne had standout solos in tracks such as “Stole My Heart” and “Change Your Ticket,” and co-wrote many of the band’s songs. When the group disbanded in 2016, they had achieved six Top 10 Billboard hits and a fiercely loyal fanbase known as “Directioners,” many of whom were teenagers. “I’ve always loved One Direction since I was a kid,” said Juana Relh, 18, another fan outside Payne’s hotel. “Seeing him die and knowing there’ll never be a reunion is devastating.” With his rapid rise to fame, Payne had admitted that adjusting to life in the public eye was difficult. “I don’t think you can cope with it, it’s a bit crazy for us to see that people have that kind of mindset about us and what we do,” he said in a 2013 interview with AP, recalling an experience where a fan was left speechless upon meeting him. After One Direction’s split, Payne, like his former bandmates, pursued a solo career, shifting towards EDM and hip-hop. His 2017 single, “Strip That Down,” featuring Quavo, reached the Top 10 on Billboard and stayed on the charts for several months. He released his album “LP1” in 2019, and his last single, “Teardrops,” came out in March. Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Gray Payne, whom he had with his ex-girlfriend, musician Cheryl, known as Cheryl Cole during her time with Girls Aloud. She was a judge on “The X Factor” during One Direction’s season, though their relationship began years later. Payne was also engaged to Maya Henry from August 2020 until early 2022. Henry published a novel earlier this year, which she said was inspired by their relationship. In addition to his son, Payne is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola. Humaimi reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Natacha Pisarenko and Débora Rey contributed to this report from Buenos Aires, Argentina