Liam Payne ‘jumped from the hotel balcony,’ authorities confirm

The 31-year-old former One Direction star was pronounced dead after falling from the third floor of the hotel in Buenos Aires

Author of the article:

Published Oct 17, 2024  •  2 minute read

FILE: Singer Liam Payne attends the World Premiere of "I Am Bolt" at Odeon Leicester Square on November 28, 2016 in London, England. Photo by Gareth Cattermole /Getty Images

Liam Payne “jumped from the balcony” of his hotel room, according to authorities in Argentina.

The former One Direction star died in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, aged 31, and local authorities have now confirmed that Payne jumped from his balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel.

Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, has confirmed the news to PEOPLE.

Article content

Payne was pronounced dead after falling from the third floor of the hotel.

FILE: (L-R) Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles of One Direction pose with their Brits Global Success Award in the press room at the Brit Awards 2013 at the 02 Arena on February 20, 2013 in London, England. Photo by Tim P. Whitby /Getty Images

Police arrived at the scene shortly after 5pm local time, having been alerted to the situation by the hotel management.

In the first call made to the emergency services, a hotel employee explained: “We have a guest drunk with drugs and alcohol. When he is conscious, he is breaking everything in the room…

“We have a guest who is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.”

In a follow-up call, the employee added: “We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger.

“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”

Local police previously confirmed that an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Fans pay tribute to British singer Liam Payne in front of the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires on October 17, 2024. Photo by LUIS ROBAYO /AFP via Getty Images

Toxological and anatomical-pathologicial studies of blood and urine are being undertaken to determine any traces of drugs.

Police found a bottle of whiskey, a lighter, and a white powder in the room, as well as medications including clonazepam – which is used to treat epilepsy, panic disorders or involuntary muscle spasms – and energy pills.

A notebook and Payne’s passport were seized and handed over to investigators, who also seized a phone that may have belonged to the former One Direction singer.

Recommended from Editorial

1. 

   Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 in Argentina hotel fall

2. 

   What's the story with One Direction's Story Of My Life?

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.

Article content