Popular singer and songwriter, Liam Payne, who shot to global fame with boy band One Direction, was found dead after he fell from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans and music stars globally.
As news began emerging of the 31-year-old English singer’s death, fans of one of the world’s biggest-selling boy bands gathered outside the hotel in the Argentinian capital’s leafy Palermo neighbourhood to mourn, sing his songs and celebrate his life.
Police authorities in the Spanish country had revealed said in a statement that they had been called to the CasaSur hotel after being notified of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
When they arrived, the hotel manager reported he had heard a loud noise from the inner courtyard and the police found that a man had fallen from the balcony of his room, the statement said.
In audio obtained from the Buenos Aires security ministry, a worker can be heard asking for help from the police.
“When he is conscious he is destroying the entire room and we need you to send someone,” the worker had said, adding that the guest’s life was at risk because the room had a balcony.
One Direction had gained global success after the band was formed on the British version of Simon Cowell’s The X Factor talent show in 2010, bringing together Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
Howecer, in 2016, he boy band went on an “indefinite hiatus” before they [band members] began pursuing solo careers. Payne’s last single was “Teardrop”, released in March this year.
While details surrounding the circumstances of his death are still unclear at this time, Payne had spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health and using alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame.
Already, Hollywood celebrities such ad Paris Hilton, Charlie Puth, Juicy J and Zedd have expressed their grief at Payne’s passing.
