Former One Direction singer Liam Payne’s death has left fans and the music world in shock. On October 16, Payne, 31, died after falling from his third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Since then, multiple witness testimonies and official investigations have provided a grim picture of the tragic incident.
Disturbing Sounds Before the Fall
A guest at CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where Payne was staying, reported hearing loud and unsettling noises from his room just before the singer’s fatal fall. According to the witness, “a lot of noise” and “heavy lifting” sounds were coming from the room, followed by a “violent scream.” Initially, the guest believed the noise was due to construction but soon realized it was something far more serious. Around 4:30 p.m., more alarming sounds were heard, and minutes later, police arrived on the scene.
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The guest recalled seeing hotel staff entering and exiting Payne’s room before authorities reached the hotel. Despite the staff’s intervention, Payne succumbed to multiple internal and external injuries, including hemorrhages to his head, thorax, abdomen, and limbs. The autopsy confirmed 25 injuries, all consistent with a fall from height.
Hotel Concerns and Witness Testimonies
Hours before Payne’s fall, hotel staff expressed concerns about the singer’s behavior. The hotel’s chief receptionist made a 911 call, fearing that Payne’s erratic actions were the result of drug or alcohol use. The receptionist reported that Payne appeared intoxicated, was destroying furniture in his room, and his proximity to the balcony put his life in danger.
In a conversation with police, the hotel employee urgently requested assistance, stating, “We need you to send someone urgently because, well, I don’t know if the guest’s life is at risk. He is in a room with a balcony. And, well, we are a little afraid that he will do something that will put his life at risk.”
A guest staying at the hotel, Michael Fleischmann, later revealed he saw Payne arguing with a woman about money just three hours before his death. Payne, in a seemingly agitated state, repeatedly offered the woman large sums of money, saying, “I’ll give you US$20,000 just because I can. I have US$55 million and I like to help people.” The guest noted that the singer appeared highly energized and erratic.
Investigation and Autopsy Results
The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office in Buenos Aires confirmed Payne’s death resulted from the fall, with no indications of third-party involvement. While the toxicology report is still pending, officials discovered evidence of drug and alcohol use inside Payne’s room. Police found narcotics, anxiety medication, and alcohol scattered throughout the chaotic space, with broken furniture and smashed items littering the area.
Though the death is being treated as “suspicious” for protocol purposes, authorities suggest Payne’s substance use may have contributed to his fatal fall. The city police are continuing their investigation, including analyzing fingerprints and other evidence from the scene.
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Payne’s tragic death has shocked fans worldwide, many of whom gathered outside the hotel to mourn him after the news broke. The singer, who rose to fame as part of the globally successful boy band One Direction, had been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse in the past. He is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey, whom he shared with his ex, Cheryl Cole.
