Details Surrounding the Death of Former One Direction Member Liam Payne

Former One Direction member Liam Payne passed away at the age of 31 on Wednesday, following a fall from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Authorities are currently delving into the details surrounding his untimely demise.

Here's the current information:

On Wednesday, hotel personnel urgently called for police assistance just before Payne's fall, as reported by CNN's local affiliate, Todo Noticias. According to a police statement, officers responded to a distress call shortly after 5 p.m. local time regarding an "agitated individual possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

"We have a guest in distress due to drugs and alcohol," the front desk manager reported during the emergency call. "He is causing damage. He's destroying the entire room."

The manager urgently requested assistance, expressing concern over the guest's safety. Staff were unable to enter Payne's room, where he had been staying for several days.

By Thursday, Argentina's public prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into Payne's case, suggesting the musician was alone during the incident and experiencing issues linked to substance abuse. Earlier, Buenos Aires police indicated Payne "had jumped from his room's balcony," leaving the intention behind the act unclear.

When contacted by CNN, Pablo Policicchio, communications director for the Buenos Aires Police, declined to elaborate and directed further inquiries to the prosecutor’s office.

The prosecutor's report implied Payne might have been unconscious during the fall due to his injuries and the position in which his body was found. Substances were retrieved from Payne's hotel room, hinting at prior alcohol and drug use. Images from the scene depicted a shattered television.

The prosecutor’s office has recorded testimonies from five witnesses to reconstruct the events leading up to Payne's death. Preliminary autopsy results indicated that Payne died from "polytrauma" and "internal and external hemorrhage" due to the fall. An autopsy is ongoing.

Payne openly discussed his struggles with mental health and substance use in recent years. In the 2019 Sky program "Ant Middleton & Liam Payne: Straight Talking," he reflected on feelings of isolation, admitting, "There have been times when loneliness nearly killed me."

In 2021, on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, Payne addressed his battle with alcoholism, describing it as a severe issue. He recounted how, during his time with the band, isolation led him to turn to the minibar, contributing to years of struggle.

Born on August 29, 1993, in Wolverhampton, England, Payne studied music technology at City of Wolverhampton College. His rise to fame began on "The X Factor," where he first appeared at age 14 and returned two years later at Simon Cowell’s suggestion. Alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson, Payne captured the hearts of fans as part of One Direction.

The band, beloved by millions, achieved unprecedented success with their albums debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Known for hits like "What Makes You Beautiful" and "Story of My Life," One Direction sold over 70 million records before disbanding in 2016. Payne's solo career included tracks like "Strip That Down" and "Teardrops."

Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear, who he shared with Cheryl Tweedy. Following the news of his death, Payne's former bandmates expressed their profound sorrow.

"We are completely devastated," Styles, Horan, Malik, and Tomlinson said in a joint statement. "The memories we shared will be treasured forever. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans."

Styles honored Payne, describing him as "warm, supportive, and incredibly loving," while Tomlinson referred to Payne as "a brother." Malik wished he could give Payne "a hug one last time."

Artists like Rita Ora, who collaborated with Payne, also expressed their condolences. During a concert in Japan, Ora paid tribute by performing "For You," visibly emotional as she remembered her time with Payne.

James Corden, a friend of Payne, also shared his heartbreak, stating, "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heartbreaking. I will cherish the moments I spent with him.