More details have emerged in the hours since the world learned that Liam Payne passed away on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The One Direction singer died after falling from a three-story hotel balcony.
RELATED: Prayers up! One Direction member Liam Payne dies aged 31
Updated reports include insights into the incident from the preliminary autopsy report and local police. He was 31 years old and is survived by his seven-year-old son Bear Grey.
The Director of Security Communications speaks about the death of Liam Payne
As previously reported, the 31-year-old is said to have died shortly after 5 p.m. in the South American country. The incident occurred at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo district. Medics later pronounced him dead on the scene.
Pablo Policicchio is communications director for the Buenos Aires Ministry of Security. Policicchio issued a statement to the Associated Press apparently confirming that the fall was not accidental. The director is quoted as saying that Liam “jumped off the balcony of his room.”
Before Payne allegedly jumped, the hotel manager had called the police about “a guest who…” [was] overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol.” The manager reportedly added that the guest “destroyed the entire room” and requested an officer on site. AP reviewed the 911 call and found that as the call progressed, the manager sounded more “anxious” and mentioned the balcony in the room.
TMZ reported on Wednesday (October 16) that witnesses saw Liam acting erratically in the hotel lobby before his death. He had allegedly broken his laptop and had to be escorted to his room. The hotel manager's emergency call apparently came after he escorted him to his room.
Note that in 2021, as a member of the One Direction group, Payne revealed his previous addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs. During his appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, he also confirmed that alcohol and drugs influenced suicidal thoughts.
Autopsy report explains Liam's injuries
CNN reviewed the preliminary autopsy report on Liam Payne's body. According to the outlet, the One Direction actor died from multiple injuries, including “internal and external bleeding.” However, a toxicology report is reportedly still pending. TMZ obtained photos showing Payne's body lying on a deck next to tables and chairs.
PEOPLE reports that the head of Buenos Aires' public emergency service also provided insight into Laim's injuries. Alberto Crescenti said the One Direction singer suffered a “fracture to the base of his skull” after the fall. According to CNN, prosecutors will release more details about the case soon.
@cnn
Police say former One Direction member Liam Payne has died at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to a 911 call obtained by a CNN affiliate, hotel staff called police shortly before Payne's death because they were urgently concerned about a guest. Fans gathered to chant and hold vigils outside the hotel. #cnn #news
♬ Original sound – CNN
Liam's family speaks out
As previously reported, Liam shared content on his Snapchat Stories about the day of his death. The footage included videos and selfies featuring his girlfriend Kate Cassidy. According to TMZ, the couple arrived in Argentina on September 30th. Kate remained in the country until October 14 before leaving, but Liam decided to stay and checked into the hotel where he died. It's unclear if and why Liam shared the content with his girlfriend on Snapchat days after her departure.
RELATED: Liam Payne's Snapchat posts from the day he died go viral
Aside from the Snapchat recap, Liam Payne's family has also commented on his sudden death. In a statement to the BBC, unspecified family members said they were “heartbroken” by the death.
“Liam will live in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and courageous soul,” the statement said. “We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.”
TOPSHOT – A fan pays tribute to British singer Liam Payne in front of the hotel where he died on October 17, 2024 in Buenos Aires. Tributes poured in on Thursday for British singer Liam Payne, a former member of the best-selling boy band One Direction, after he fell to his death from the balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO/AFP) (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
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What do you think, roommates?
