Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died, aged 31 (Image: PA)

Liam Payne's 'erratic' final hours including smashed laptop, carried to room and hotel call

After reportedly behaving erratically and needing to be carried to his room, former One Direction member Liam Payne passed away in Argentina on Wednesday after falling from a hotel's third-floor balcony.

by · Daily Record

The world was stunned last night by the shocking and sudden death of One Direction star Liam Payne. The singer has died at the age of 31 after plummeting from the third floor of an Argentinian hotel, Casa Sur Palmero.

Local reports say that the father-of-one had been acting "erratically" in the hours before his death. An "aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol" was reported by the hotel staff.

Liam reportedly "had to be carried back to his room" after he was spotted "acting erratically in the hotel lobby and smashed his laptop," according to reports in the local media

Liam Payne and girlfriend Kate Cassidy share a heartfelt day together, just days before Liam's tragic passing (Image: Getty/2024 Bauer-Griffin)

Tragically, employees reported hearing a loud noise in the courtyard immediately after the call. The dead body of Liam was found just after 5pm, the Mirror reports.

A worker called to ask for assistance with an intoxicated guest, according to case-related audio taken from the Buenos Aires security ministry. The worker said: "When he is conscious he is destroying the entire room and we need you to send someone" in audio obtained by The Mail Online.

Emergency medical services director Alberto Crescenti spoke to local news outlet Clarin after Liam's death. He said: "We verified his identity using the passport he had," before adding: "The team saw that he apparently had a fracture at the base of the skull."

Buenos Aires police confirmed in a statement : "Liam James Payne, composer and guitarist, former member of the band One Direction, died today after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo."

Liam Payne news

Liam had earlier explained on social media why he was in the country. He said: " "We're going to Argentina. One, because we have to, and two, because we want to, and three, because Niall Horan's playing down there and I think we might just go and say 'Hello'.

"It's been a while since me and Niall have spoken. We've got a lot to talk about and I would like to square up a couple things with the boy. No bad vibes or nothing like that, but just, we need to talk."

He and Kate Cassidy, his girlfriend, were holidaying in the country. The musician had posted pictures for his fans on Snapchat just hours before his death. They showed Liam enjoying his food and talking about his polo game plans. While they were eating breakfast together, he also recorded his girlfriend Kate.

The former One Direction star had been active on social media before the incident (Image: Snapchat/Liam Payne)

Liam said in the clip: "This is the breakfast table, just enjoying breakfast and coffee even though it's 1pm." He revealed they had been staying at their friend's home as Kate joked in the background they are "losers" for laying in.

Following news of his death, the world united to pay their condolences. Among them were many of Liam's famous friends, including X Factor host Dermot O'Leary. He shared a black and white photo of himself standing beside Liam and penned: "The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing."

He went on to praise Liam for his polite and down to earth personality and added: "He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx" Liam appeared on the X Factor in 2010 where he became part of One Direction alongside bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.

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