Thu Oct 17 00:42:30 UTC 2024: ## Former One Direction Member Liam Payne Found Dead in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Liam Payne, former member of the boy band One Direction, was found dead Wednesday evening in Buenos Aires after falling from a third-story hotel window. He was 31 years old.
The musician’s death was confirmed by local authorities. “Liam James Payne, musician and guitarist, former member of the band One Direction, died today after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo,” the Buenos Aires police said in a statement.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the city’s emergency medical system, told Argentine TV channel Todo Noticias that Payne was found in the hotel’s inner courtyard. “A few minutes later, [an] emergency team arrived and confirmed the death of this man, who we later learned was from a musical group. The fall caused him injuries incompatible with life. There was no way to do anything,” Crescenti said.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death and an autopsy is being conducted.
Payne was in Argentina with former bandmate Niall Horan, who had performed at the Movistar Arena in the city on October 2nd. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the hotel on Wednesday evening, many in tears.
“I am heartbroken. I remember when I was young, I was bullied a lot in my school, and his songs helped me. I am devastated. I came here as soon as I heard the news,” said Martina Belastigue. “I saw him a couple of weeks ago at Niall’s show. He was singing, dancing, and jumping.”
“I met him when I was 12 years old. He was with his family and I asked for a picture. He was very nice. I was so shy, he tried to talk to me but I couldn’t say anything. I regret it,” said Mariana Pinto.
Payne, born in Wolverhampton, England in 1993, was only 16 years old when he became part of One Direction, the boy band formed by music executive Simon Cowell on the British reality show The X Factor in 2010.
The band, which also included Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, went on to sell over 70m records worldwide and had numerous hits, including “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Night Changes,” and “Steal My Girl.” One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, and Payne embarked on a solo career, releasing his first single, “Strip That Down,” featuring Quavo, in 2017.
He is survived by his son, Bear Gray Payne, born in 2017 with his former partner, X Factor judge Cheryl Cole.
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