Fans of One Direction are mourning a devastating loss. On October 16, Liam Payne, a former member of the acclaimed British pop group, was reportedly found dead in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 31.
Payne rose to fame as part of One Direction, which came together in 2010 when he was grouped with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson on the U.K. talent show The X Factor. Although the group did not win the competition, they achieved extraordinary success, becoming one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. After going on hiatus in 2016, the former members have consistently supported each other’s individual projects. Horan’s “The Show: Live on Tour” recently performed at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires on October 2, where Payne attended to reconnect with Horan. Reports indicated he was seen joyfully dancing to “Macarena” by Los Del Río.
LIAM PAYNE DOING THE MACARENA WHILE SECURITY IS TRYING TO ASK HIM TO STOP RILING UP THE CROWD AT NIALL’S CONCERT HAS ME FUCKING CRYINGGGGG 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Jvc6O893Zf
— kaily💋 | 34 (@wizardsofsel) October 6, 2024
Following Horan’s event, Payne chose to extend his stay in Buenos Aires with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy. Local news sources have reported tonight that he was found dead in the courtyard of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. An investigation into the circumstances of his death is currently underway, with authorities suggesting that Payne may have fallen from the balcony of his third-floor accommodations. According to the New York Post, witnesses claimed to have seen Payne exhibiting erratic behavior in the hotel lobby earlier in the day.
Segundo Alberto Crescenti, títular do SAMU de Argentina, Liam Payne, ex-One Direction, morreu na hora. Não houve chance de socorrer ele.
Amplas fraturas. pic.twitter.com/rJRt1VIW1O
— Gabriel Menezes (@briel_menezes) October 16, 2024
“We received a report about an individual found in the internal courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel,” stated Alberto Crescenti, head of Argentina’s state emergency medical services, to Todo Noticias. “[First responders] arrived and confirmed the man’s demise. We later learned he was a singer in a musical group. Tragically, his injuries from the fall were fatal, and we had to declare him dead on the scene. There was no possibility for resuscitation.”
In 2019, Payne launched his debut album, LP1, which included the successful single “Familiar,” featuring Colombian artist J Balvin. Earlier this year, in March, he made his return to the music world with a poignant track titled “Teardrops.”
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