Liam Payne has died at the age of 31.
According to Reuters and GMA News, the former One Direction singer’s death was announced via the Buenos Aires local newspaper La Nacion after the singer reportedly fell from the third floor of an Argentine hotel.
CNN has since confirmed the British singer’s death via a statement from local authorities. In a statement to Reuters, police said they were called to the hotel in the capital’s Palermo neighbourhood where they were notified of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol,” though the man was not identified as Payne.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Buenos Aires medical emergency agency SAME Payne fell from a height of “about 13 or 14 meters,” and that he “suffered severe injuries incompatible with life.”
When contacted by Daily Mail for comment, Payne’s former fiancé Maya Henry’s representative said: “Right now she is obviously in shock.”
Payne was best known for his time in One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. After the group’s indefinite hiatus in 2016, Payne went on to enjoy a solo career, and has to date released one record, 2019’s ‘LP1’.
Earlier this month, he reportedly hit pause indefinitely on his sophomore record after the single ‘Teardrops’ failed to enter the UK top 30 (peaking at Number 43) and he parted ways with his manager earlier this year.
The Wolverhampton-born Payne rose to prominence after auditioning for The X-Factor in 2008 at the age of 14, where he performed a cover of Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me To The Moon’. He would later be grouped with Styles, Malik, Horan and Tomlinson to form the chart-topping One Direction.
One Direction would go on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, releasing the albums ‘Up All Night’ in 2011, ‘Take Me Home’ in 2012, ‘Midnight Memories’ in 2013, ‘Four’ in 2014 and ‘Made in the A.M.’ in 2015.
‘Made in the A.M.’ was released as a four-piece following the departure of Malik. After releasing ‘Made in the A.M.’, One Direction went on hiatus with each member launching solo careers.
Last year, Payne opened up about a stint in rehab and the controversial and viral comments he made about his former One Direction bandmates.
See tributes to the late Liam Payne below.
RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…
absolutely heartbreaking … 💔— Zedd (@Zedd) October 16, 2024
So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing😢 Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. 🙏 RIP my friend🥺
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) October 16, 2024
Charlie Puth wrote in an Instagram story: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…”
Ty Dolla $ign wrote: “Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy. Ima miss u frfr sucio.”
Good grief.. what a shocking tragedy. https://t.co/ZoL55QSRHD
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 16, 2024
RIP to Liam Payne,,, much too young 🙏🏾
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) October 16, 2024
Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear ❤️ and all the One direction Family
RIP @LiamPayne— JEDWARD (@planetjedward) October 16, 2024
if this Liam Payne news is true that shit is honestly so gut wrenching… was such a nice guy the few times me and G ran into him, fuck the Internet for being so ruthless over the past few months… forreal such a toxic environment on here mannnn that’s so sad
— J (@JVCKJ) October 16, 2024
Liam Payne’s death is sad very very sad.
He played a roll in all our childhoods. Just doesn’t seem real… I’m speechless.Rest Easy
— Taylor Caniff (@taylorcaniff) October 16, 2024
This is a developing story