Liam Payne, the former member of One Direction, tragically passed away at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel in Argentina.

 BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Liam Payne, 31, the former singer of the globally popular boy band One Direction, was found dead Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to local officials.

The Buenos Aires police reported that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the fashionable Palermo neighborhood, sustaining “extremely serious injuries.” Medics pronounced him dead at the scene, the statement indicated.

Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, stated that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room.” Authorities were called to the hotel just after 5 p.m. local time in response to an emergency report about “an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

In a 911 call obtained by the AP, the hotel manager described a guest “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol,” emphasizing the need for assistance as Payne was reportedly damaging the room. The manager’s urgency grew during the call, noting the presence of a balcony.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, mentioned that authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death and conducting an autopsy.

Payne had openly discussed his struggles with alcoholism, posting a video on his YouTube channel in July 2023 where he shared that he had been sober for six months after undergoing treatment. Representatives for Payne did not immediately respond to inquiries.

Following the news of his death, numerous One Direction fans gathered outside the Casa Sur Hotel, forming long lines that extended into the street as police monitored the scene. Forensic investigators were seen leaving the hotel, where Payne’s body was removed approximately three hours after the fall. Shocked fans filmed the scene on their phones as a makeshift memorial of candles and flowers quickly formed outside.

“I didn’t think he was going to die so young,” said 21-year-old Isabella Milesi.

Payne was one of five members of One Direction, which formed in 2010 after each member auditioned for the British singing competition “The X Factor.” Despite initially failing as solo contestants, Simon Cowell and the judges merged Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson into a group that became one of the most successful boy bands, even after losing the competition.

Each member had a distinct persona, with Payne, hailing from Wolverhampton in England, being known as the responsible one. The band produced numerous pop hits, including “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Night Changes,” and “Story of My Life.” Payne contributed prominently with solos on tracks like “Stole My Heart” and “Change Your Ticket,” and co-wrote several of their hits. By the time they disbanded in 2016, they had achieved six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts and cultivated a dedicated fan base known as “Directioners,” predominantly composed of teenage girls.

“I’ve always loved One Direction since I was little,” shared 18-year-old Juana Relh, a fan outside the hotel. “To see that he died and that there will never be another reunion of the boys is unbelievable. It breaks my heart.”

With his sudden rise to fame, Payne acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting to life in the public eye. “I don’t think you can ever deal with that; it’s all a bit crazy to see people react that way about us,” he remarked in a 2013 interview with the AP, recalling a fan's shocked reaction upon meeting him.

After One Direction disbanded, Payne pursued a solo career, venturing into EDM and hip-hop. His 2017 single “Strip That Down,” featuring Quavo, reached the Billboard Top 10 and remained on the charts for several months. He released his album “LP1” in 2019, with his most recent single, “Teardrops,” debuting in March.

Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, from his previous relationship with musician Cheryl, known as Cheryl Cole during her time with Girls Aloud. They began their relationship after she served as a judge on “The X Factor” during One Direction’s season. He was also previously engaged to Maya Henry from August 2020 to early 2022. Henry released a novel earlier this year based on their relationship.

In addition to his son, Payne is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.