BUENOS AIRES, Oct 16 (Reuters) – Liam Payne, who gained international fame as a member of One Direction, was found dead after falling from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, prompting a wave of tributes from fans.
As news of the 31-year-old English singer’s death spread, fans of the popular boy band gathered outside the CasaSur hotel in the Palermo neighborhood to sing his songs and honor his memory.
Police reported they were called to the hotel following reports of an “aggressive man who might be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.” Upon arrival, the hotel manager informed them he had heard a loud noise from the courtyard, where they discovered a man had fallen from a balcony.
Audio from the Buenos Aires security ministry revealed a worker requesting police assistance, stating, “When he is conscious, he is destroying the entire room and we need you to send someone,” warning that the guest’s life was in danger due to the balcony.
One Direction achieved worldwide success after Simon Cowell assembled Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson on the UK’s X Factor in 2010. The band sold 70 million records and scored six top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100, including “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” and “Live While We’re Young.” Payne co-wrote “Story of My Life” and “Night Changes.”
