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Liam Payne death latest: Preliminary autopsy reveals One Direction star died of multiple traumas caused by hotel fall

Singer has died aged 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires

Roisin O'Connor,Kevin E G Perry
Thursday 17 October 2024 18:53 BST
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One Direction singer Liam Payne dies aged 31

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One Direction star Liam Payne has died suddenly aged 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Local authorities have said they will conduct an autopsy and investigate the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.

Payne’s family said in a statement issued by his spokeswoman: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

”We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Simon Cowell has responded to the news, while stars including Liam Gallagher, X Factor host Dermot O’Leary and Harry Style’s mother Anne Twist are among those to have paid tribute.

Payne rose to fame while competing on season five of The X Factor in 2010, when he was placed in the band One Direction along with Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.

They went on to become one of the world’s most successful boybands, selling 70 million records and performing in stadiums around the world.

Liam Payne’s life after One Direction: Fame, fall outs and fatherhood

Singer was open about his experiences in the aftermath of the band’s split, as he pursued a solo career and had a son with former ‘X Factor’ judge, Cheryl Tweedy.

Liam Payne’s life after One Direction: Fame, fall outs and fatherhood

Singer was open about his experiences in the aftermath of the band’s split, as he pursued a solo career and had a son with former ‘X Factor’ judge, Cheryl Tweedy

Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 16:21

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole’s relationship: Timeline from X Factor meeting to coparenting son Bear

Liam Payne has died aged 31, after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The One Direction singer was in a relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy at the time of his death, while ex-fiancée Maya Henry had issued a cease and desist last week alleging that the musician continued to contact her.

Prior to meeting Cassidy in October 2022, and Henry in 2019, Liam was in a relationship with former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole.

The pair share one seven-year-old son together, Bear.

We break down the timeline of the couple’s unconventional meeting and subsequent relationship below.

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole’s relationship: From X Factor meeting to coparenting

Couple first met on the ‘X Factor’ in 2008 and share a seven-year-old son together

Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 16:04

Busted and McFly pay tribute to Liam Payne

McFly and Busted stars have remembered Liam Payne as “such a nice human” and reflected on the pressures of being in the spotlight when in a boy band.

The McBusted supergroup previously supported One Direction, with whom Payne rose to fame alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, during 1D’s world tour.

Appearing on ITV's This Morning, McFly's Danny Jones said: “It's super sad. Such a nice human and it was amazing to know the guys. And I feel for his family, I feel for the band, feel for the boys, and I'm shocked. I'm genuinely shocked.”

Busted's Charlie Simpson, who started his musical career when he was aged 16, reflected on the pressures of being thrust into the limelight in a boyband.

“It is really tough. I think that especially today with social media and the pressure that comes with it now that wasn't around when we started, I think that makes it even tougher”, he said.

Fellow Busted bandmate Matt Willis also remembered Payne as “such a lovely bloke”, adding: “Music is so powerful and I think what One Direction achieved was unbelievable, so incredible. They've got such an amazing history of music, it's a beautiful thing music.”

Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 16:01

Liam Payne: The ambitious One Direction star who struggled with dark side of fame

Liam Payne, who rose to global fame as a member of the British pop band One Direction, has died aged 31.

The singer died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina, officials said on Wednesday 16 October. Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said in a statement to the Associated Press that police were dispatched to the hotel in response to an emergency call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Payne was drawn to singers such as Usher and Justin Timberlake. He remembered his childhood as a happy one: his father, Geoff, worked as a fitter, while his mother, Karen, was a nursery nurse.

“It was great, though we didn’t have much,” he told The Telegraph in a 2017 interview. “Dad was in debt, but they did the best they could. It makes you dream a bit, you know?”

Liam Payne: The ambitious One Direction star who struggled with dark side of fame

Singer, who rose to fame as a member of boyband One Direction, died aged 31 after falling from a hotel in Buenos Aires

Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 15:41

BREAKING: Buenos Aires police share results of Liam Payne hotel room search

The Buenos Aires police said they found Payne’s hotel room “in complete disarray,” with packs of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, as well as energy supplements and other over-the-counter drugs strewn about and “various items broken”, Reuters reports.

They added that a whiskey bottle, lighter and cellphone were retrieved from the internal hotel courtyard where Payne’s body was found.

Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 15:28

VIDEO: Liam Payne’s first television appearance aged 14

Liam Payne's first television appearance aged 14
Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 15:21

The letter Liam Payne wrote to his 10-year-old self

A letter former One Direction singer Liam Payne wrote to his 10-year-old self for BBC Radio 1 has been reshared following his death at the age of 31.

In the letter, which was written in 2020, Payne tells himself that “for a while you’ll feel like giving up” before One Direction’s success, but told himself “don’t, as you’re about to meet four other guys on the same track as you are”.

The singer died after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, local police have said.

In the letter, which was reshared on Instagram by Radio 1 today, Payne said: “Get Ready, it’s about to get a little bumpy.

“Cherish every moment with your loved ones right now, as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy, life is about to turn surreal.

“You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up, when you turn 14, something magical is going to happen, and I’m not talking about puberty.

“Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world, but you’ll also meet the future mother (then-X Factor judge, Cheryl Tweedy) of your child.

“I know it seems early, but just trust me, it’s all going to work out however it’s supposed to. I suggest you watch Back To The Future, it might help.

“You are now famous, and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early, you cocky little bugger, but you barely even started yet, take it down a notch, and remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

“Let me tell you this isn’t even base camp, and for a while, you’ll feel like giving up, but don’t as you’re about to meet four of the guys on the same track as you.

“When you first meet them, it’s going to be chaos, but just remember to enjoy yourself, stay young at heart as that’s what this point in your life is all about.

“Forgive more and learn to listen, you’ll have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined.

“Then it will end for a while, and you will left with nothing but the steering wheel. It will feel scary, like you’re alone, but you are not.

“You’re about to start a total new journey with the most amazing person you met so far, your son Bear.”

He went on to tell his younger self “don’t doubt yourself with this dad thing” adding “you have a lot to give”.

Payne finished: “Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love, that took 10 years to build.

“The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming, you’ll stop with the self doubt and you’ll be fine.

“Give mum, dad, and all the family, a big hug from me.”

Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 15:18

Simon Cowell responds to Liam Payne’s sudden death in Buenos Aires

Simon Cowell has responded to the sudden death of One Direction star Liam Payne by cancelling filming for Britain’s Got Talent.

Payne, who shot to international fame when One Direction was formed on X Factor, was found dead after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The singer had been in the country in part to support his former bandmate Niall Horan who had been performing in Buenos Aires. Payne had attended Horan’s concert earlier this month with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy before deciding to stay in the country for longer.

Simon Cowell, who formed One Direction on X Factor and was their first manager, has responded to the news by halting filming for ITV’s new series of Britain’s Got Talent, which features Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and guest judge KSI on the judging panel.

Simon Cowell responds to Liam Payne’s sudden death in Buenos Aires

Talent contest boss has halted filming for upcoming show due to news of Payne’s death

Ellie Muir17 October 2024 15:01

One Direction’s former publicist ‘in shock’ at Liam Payne’s death

Simon Jones, who worked as One Direction’s publicist after their appearance on X Factor until their split in 2016, has said he is “still in shock and heartbroken” over Liam Payne’s death.

Jones, who continues to represent former 1D stars Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, shared a brief post to Instagram Stories that said he worked closely with Payne for six years and “will always have the happiest memories of our amazing times together all over the world and the incredible journey we all went on”.

“I’m deeply said for his family, his bandmates, all the fans who loved him and Cheryl and their son,” he said.

Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 14:31

VIDEO: Liam Payne watches Niall Horan concert in Argentina days before death

Liam Payne watches Niall Horan concert in Argentina days before death
Roisin O'Connor17 October 2024 14:16

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