The tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne has sent shockwaves through the music world. Payne passed away on October 16, 2023, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the wake of his passing, Argentinian police launched an investigation, raiding the hotel where the singer had been staying and seizing crucial evidence, including computer hard drives and CCTV footage.
Preliminary autopsy results confirm that Payne died from multiple injuries and internal bleeding caused by the fall. A preliminary toxicology report also found cocaine in his system, but the final toxicology results are still pending. Authorities suspect that Payne experienced a breakdown possibly linked to substance use, and evidence of this was found in his hotel room, where police also discovered destroyed objects and furniture.
Fans of the singer have transformed the entrance of the Casa Sur hotel into a memorial site, leaving flowers, candles, and photographs in his honor. Payne’s father, Geoff, is currently in Buenos Aires working to repatriate his son’s body, which is expected to be released by October 28.
Liam Payne rose to global fame as a member of One Direction, one of the most successful boy bands in history. After the group announced its hiatus in 2016, Payne, like his bandmates, embarked on a solo career. Just days before his death, Payne attended fellow bandmate Niall Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires, sharing joyful moments on social media before the tragedy struck.