Liam Payne: His fans around the world are mourning

A few days ago, former One Direction singer Liam Payne (1993-2024) fell to his death from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires. The musician was only 31 years old. As more and more details about the fatal fall on October 16th become known, the world is mourning the pop star.

The events

Liam Payne stayed at a hotel in the Palermo district of the Argentine capital. According to staff, he had been a guest there for two or three days before his death. He was in town to visit his former bandmate Niall Horan, 31, on his tour on October 2nd. Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy (25) was at the concert, but left the country before the tragic event.

According to media reports, the police received an emergency call on October 16th. An unnamed man is said to have behaved aggressively in the hotel and was probably drunk or under the influence of drugs. When the officers and an emergency doctor arrived, they found Payne lifeless in the courtyard of the luxury residence and could only confirm his death.

According to a preliminary autopsy report, the former member of the boy band One Direction died of polytrauma (several life-threatening injuries to various parts of the body) and internal and external bleeding, the local public prosecutor’s office announced. Further investigations are still being carried out to investigate evidence of possible drug use before the fatal fall. According to the BBC, investigators also want to determine the “possible involvement of third parties in the events leading up to the victim’s death.” Liam Payne’s laptop and phone, as well as eyewitness accounts, will help determine what led to his death.

A report in the Argentine newspaper “La Nacion” indicates that the musician’s last hours could have been turbulent. It states that Payne was allegedly visited by two prostitutes before the fatal balcony fall. Further reports spoke of previously unidentified substances that were later seized in his hotel room. Destroyed objects and furniture were also found in the room.

The British tabloid “The Sun” reported that Payne was actually “clean” immediately before his death. People close to him reported that the Brit entered Argentina on September 30 to renew an expired US visa. In dialogue with the US embassy there, he also had to undergo a drug test. On Tuesday he received the results from the embassy, ​​which would prove that he was no longer taking drugs. His visa was therefore approved.

The farewell

There is great sympathy after Payne’s tragic death. Numerous companions, his family and his fans mourn the musician. One Direction stars Harry Styles (30), Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson (32) and Zayn Malik (31) said goodbye to their “brother”. The musicians said that “we will cherish the memories they shared with him forever.” “Our thoughts are now with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him with us. We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”

Kate Cassidy, who has been dating Payne since October 2022, wrote, “Liam, my angel. I want you to know that I have loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you “Liam.” Cheryl Cole, 41, the mother of Payne’s seven-year-old son Bear, said: Payne was not only a pop star and celebrity, “he was also a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven-year-old son . A son who now has to face the harsh reality of never seeing his father again.” After the huge media response, she asks the public: “Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself whether you want your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam what little dignity he has left after his death so he can finally rest in peace.”

“We are heartbroken,” Payne’s family said in a statement released by Britain’s BBC. “Liam will live in our hearts forever and we will remember him as a kind, funny and brave soul. We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.” Sister Ruth Gibbins also wrote in an extremely emotional Instagram post about the loss of her brother: “One last time I want you to know that I’m here if you need anything. I would drive to the end of the universe to have you to bring back”.

As TMZ magazine reported, father Geoff Payne (66) arrived in Buenos Aires last Friday to meet with the relevant law enforcement authorities. He also visited the Casa Sur Palermo Hotel, in front of which his son died on Wednesday. Grieving fans of the musician had erected an improvised memorial on the sidewalk in front of the luxury hotel, where Geoff Payne stayed for a long time. Silently and moved to tears, he looked at the flowers, condolences and photos placed there.

The singer is also remembered in his native Great Britain. Between 800 and 1,000 people gathered in London’s Hyde Park last Sunday to commemorate the 31-year-old. Many in attendance were moved to tears or sang One Direction songs. The vigil organizer said One Direction had been “a light in many people’s lives, especially mine.” “There are a lot of people who are sad and it’s a good time for us to come together and be with people who understand us.” Fans also gathered in Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool and his hometown of Wolverhampton over the weekend to say goodbye to Liam Payne.

In Paris on Sunday, fans laid flowers and candles under a framed photo of the singer in the Tuileries Gardens. There was already a meeting in Washington Square Park in New York City on Saturday. “I feel like I’ve lost someone I knew,” said one follower. “I feel like we grew up together.” Another fan commented on his reaction to the news of his death: “It felt like the end of an era. It was like saying goodbye to my childhood.”