Liam Payne's ex Maya Henry in shock after 'being told of star's death by reporter'

Former One Direction singer Liam Payne has died aged 31 after falling from a hotel third floor while on holiday in Argentina with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy

Liam Payne's ex-fiancée has broken her silence following the singer's tragic death in Argentina.

Former One Direction star Liam, 31, fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires. Police are said to have been called to reports of a man acting aggressively at the hotel who could be under the effect of drink or drugs.

A body was found in an internal patio of the hotel. It's believed that Liam fell from around 13 or 14 metres and suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life." In a statement, the local ambulance manager told TN: "At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel.

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A source close to Liam's ex Maya Henry - who had made a series of bombshell claims about him - told Mail Online : "Right now she is obviously in shock." Reports suggested that Maya only learned of Liam's death when a reporter contacted a member of her team.

TMZ reported that several witnesses had told them Liam fell from his room just after 5pm on Wednesday. The publication also claimed that Liam was seen "acting erratic in the hotel lobby earlier," adding that "he smashed his laptop, and had to be carried back to his room."

Paris Hilton is among the celebrities who paid tribute to Liam after his tragic death, as she described the news as "so upsetting" while sending "love and condolences" to his friends and family. She tweeted: "So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend."

Irish singing and television presenting duo Jedward wrote on X, formerly called Twitter : "RIP Liam Payne. condolences to friends and family." They added: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family." John and Edward Grimes, known as Jedward, started their careers on X Factor, the same reality TV show that launched One Direction.

Liam first met his ex, Cheryl Tweedy when he auditioned for The X Factor. The former couple announced their separation back in 2018 – months after welcoming Bear in 2017 – and over the coming years both gradually revealed more behind what went wrong in their romance. Cheryl first met Liam in 2008. Their paths crossed again in 2015 when he returned to perform with One Direction and the rest is history.

Liam, 31, had dreamed of being a dad from the age of 16 and was determined to settle down and have a quiet life with Cheryl. She shared how Liam didn't want to do "the solo thing" after One Direction split but Cheryl, 40, encouraged him to give it a go. Then their relationship started to unravel. Liam has even claimed that Bear's arrival "ruined" their relationship, but for "all the right reasons".