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
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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 drew the short straw in One Direction – now we’ll never know the real him
Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole’s relationship: Timeline from X Factor meeting to coparenting son Bear
Liam Payne’s final posts show how One Direction star spent his day just hours before his death
Why Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy left Argentina just before his death
Liam Payne tributes: Harry Styles’ mother and Liam Gallagher respond to One Direction star’s shock death
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.
VIDEO: Liam Payne’s first television appearance aged 14
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.”
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
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.
VIDEO: Liam Payne watches Niall Horan concert in Argentina days before death
Food bank charity Trussell Trust says Liam Payne showed ‘compassion and kindness’ with donations
The Trussell Trust has revealed that Liam Payne was a strong supporter of its charity work, helping to provide more than 360,000 meals.
The food bank charity's chief executive Emma Revie said she was “extremely saddened” by his death.
“Over the last four years, Liam was a generous supporter of Trussell and our community of food banks, not only funding the provision of more than 360,000 meals during COVID but also often joining us in calling for the solutions required to end the need for emergency food,” he said.
“We greatly appreciate the compassion and kindness he always showed to people facing hunger and hardship. His death is a very tragic loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Payne had previously spoken about wanting to “play my part in finding a solution to ensure people have enough money to buy their own food - and end the need for food banks”.
Liam Payne’s life after One Direction: Fame, fall outs and fatherhood
One Direction’s split seemed inevitable, but the break-up of one of the most successful boybands of all time still made headlines around the world and devastated millions of fans.
Formed on reality TV show The X Factor in 2010, the five-piece comprised late singer Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. Despite placing third in the contest, the band shot to international fame upon the release of their debut single, the pop-rock anthem “What Makes You Beautiful”.
For the next six years, One Direction experienced a level of fame not seen since Beatlemania: screaming, hysterical fans; paparazzi; intrusive tabloid stories. After the band split in 2016 following a final farewell tour, each of the five members pursued solo careers with varying degrees of success.
Somewhat surprisingly, Payne – who had long-harboured ambitions of being a singer like his idols, Justin Timberlake, Usher and Chris Brown – admitted in 2017 that he had doubts about going solo. “I was just going to go into songwriting and carry on and do that,” he told Billboard. “But then I was like, ‘You’ve been trying to do this since you were 14 years old. You would be ridiculously stupid to turn down the option to have a deal.’ Coming out of the band, we had some pretty good opportunities around us. I had to do something.”
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
One Direction’s former management pays tribute
“We are absolutely devastated by the tragic news of Liam Payne’s passing,” Modest Management said in a statement.
“Liam was a huge part of the historic success of One Direction and brought so much pleasure to millions of fans around the globe. Our thoughts go out to all his family, his son Bear and all friends.”
BREAKING: Liam Payne’s family issue statement following singer’s death
Liam 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.“
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments