Liam Payne dead: Updates after One Direction star dies after falling from hotel balcony
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
by Daniel Bird · The MirrorLiam Payne has tragically died aged 31.
Liam fell from the third floor of a hotel building in the Argentinian capital. Police, firefighters and ambulances were seen outside of a hotel building after Liam tragically fell. 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. The police were called to the hotel by the hotel manager. 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.
“There is an internal courtyard where the victim fell, with tables and chairs: the hotel’s confectionery shop operates there. The space has a retractable roof that was open at the time. Fortunately, there were no other people there,” sources in the case said.
Reports claim that Liam had checked into a hotel alone before his death. City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said he had fallen around 40 metres and suffered “severe injuries which were incompatible with life.” He said: “The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur. At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead. Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”
Liam had said on social media: "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."
The late hitmaker was holidaying with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who recently returned back to her hometown in America.Just hours before the news of his tragic death, the singer shared photos to his fans on Snapchat. It showed Liam sharing his food and detailed plans to play polo. He also filmed his girlfriend Kate Cassidy as they ate breakfast together. Liam said: "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.
In the clip, Liam said: "Today, we ride. I think I'm going to be playing polo again, which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks. Honestly, polo, out of everything I've ever done sports-wise, not that I'm taking up polo professionally, by the way, I'm just like, I had a go for some fun.
"It's so hard to do, number one. Number two, my back and my neck from swinging that hammer around, or mallet, I think it's called, if you're in the know, it's polo language." He later shared another clip where he filmed himself and said: "I look like the Joker, my hair's a bit cray-cray."
Weeks before his death, the pop star took to Instagram to share a photo alongside his former bandmates. In what turned out to be his final post, the singer paid a tribute to American documentary filmmaker, writer and TV producer Morgan Spurlock. Liam shared a photo of himself stood next to Morgan, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.
Alongside the photo, Liam wrote: "Rest in peace Morgan Spurlock it was a pleasure working with you." Liam's girlfriend, Kate, shared a heartfelt message about the star before his tragic death. One of Kate's final photos of the star resurfaced following his recent death.
She had taken a picture of him as they rode horses together in the calm countryside. In the picture shared on TikTok, the singer was wearing a simple t-shirt as he focused on mounting the horse. Kate captioned the sweet snap: "I am very grateful for the simple things in life." Photos show large crowds of people behind a police cordon put in place in front of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina's capital. After news of Liam's death emerged, fans rushed to the hotel, forming lines that spilled into the street as police stood sentinel outside.
An autopsy is now underway as part of the investigation. Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, confirmed that the singer fell into an internal courtyard at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. Speaking to Argentina's Todo Noticias TV channel, Crescenti said: "A few minutes later [an] emergency team arrived and confirmed the death of this man who we later learned was from a musical group."
"He had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall. There was no way to do anything. "
03:08KEY EVENT
Argentinian authorities launch investigation into Liam's death
An autopsy is now underway as part of the investigation. Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, confirmed that the singer fell into an internal courtyard at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. Speaking to Argentina's Todo Noticias TV channel, Crescenti said: "A few minutes later [an] emergency team arrived and confirmed the death of this man who we later learned was from a musical group."
"He had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall. There was no way to do anything. "
02:54Daniel Bird
One Direction family members pay tribute
Harry Styles' mum has paid tribute to Liam, following his death aged 31.
Taking to Instagram in view of her 2.5 million followers, Anne Twist shared a black screen with a red broken heart emoji across it. Captioning her upload, she penned: "Just a boy...," alongside another broken heart.
Elsewhere, Zayn Malik's sister Waliyha took to X, formerly known as Twitter to share a throwback snap of herself and Liam. "I can't believe it, I honestly have no words for this sad moment... I really can't believe it," she said.
Click here for the full story.
02:47Daniel Bird
Liam Payne - obituary
After becoming one of the biggest pop groups in the world with five albums and four world tours, the boy band went on indefinite hiatus in 2016. Earlier this month, Liam attended bandmate Horan's Argentinian concert alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Liam, who was born in Wolverhampton, released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019 which included the singles Polaroid and Familiar. He and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy share a son Bear, born in 2017, having been in a high-profile relationship between 2016 and 2018.
He first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at the age of 14 singing Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Simon Cowell telling him to return to the ITV reality show at an older age. He impressed the judges in 2010 singing Michael Buble's Cry Me A River before he was put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition – the group which later became One Direction.
01:40Daniel Bird
Liam's health woes – hospital dash to kidney issues
Liam previously suffered from a health issue last year during his holiday to Lake Como with Kate after he postponed his South American tour.
The month before saw him explain his highly anticipated concerts would be rescheduled, after being advised by doctors to take sick leave following a serious kidney infection. "It’s with a heavy heart I have to tell you that we have no other choice but to postpone my upcoming tour of South America," he wrote at the time. "It’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and doctors orders are that I now need to rest and recover."
Liam was no stranger to health woes, having battled bouts of severe illness ever since he was a small baby. After being born prematurely in 1993, he regularly fell sick and spent a significant amount of time in hospital. Doctors soon noticed one of his kidneys was scarred, which resulted in him undergoing sixteen injections in his arm every morning and night.
"I effectively died as a baby," he revealed in 2011. "I was born three weeks early and I kept being ill. From the age of zero to four I was always in hospital having tests done but they couldn't find out what was wrong." Liam's health issues eased up as he got older, and he even fell in love with athletics after joining cross country in school. His passion for sport, coupled with his history of health issues, was a motivator for him. "I have to be careful not to drink too much, even water, and I have to keep myself as healthy as possible."
01:39Daniel Bird
Man 'acting aggressively at hotel'
Prior to Liam's death, it's claimed that police had been called by hotel staff following reports of a man acting aggressively at the hotel who could be under the effect of drink or drugs.
City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said he had fallen around 40 metres and suffered “severe injuries which were incompatible with life.”
01:00Daniel Bird
Liam's last reunion with former One Direction bandmate
Liam reunited with Niall Horan following his sold-out show in Argentina.
The pair happily posed for a selfie together as they offered their best poses for a Snapchat picture. Fans couldn't contain their joy as they flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their excitement. "Liam is going to see Niall in Argentina, first Narry and now Niam on tour, always warms my heart when the boys support each other," gushed one. A second added: "Liam will be at Niall's show tomorrow!! Niam reunion!!"
Over the course of their time in One Direction, Liam and Niall became close friends and would often be seen engaging in jokes with one another leaving them both in fits of laughter.
00:55Daniel Bird
Liam's girlfriend returned to US just two days before his death
Kate Cassidy took to social media just days before Liam's fdeath, confirming that she was flying back to Florida – alone.
Captioning her upload, she penned: "soooo happpiii to b back in sunshine state." Kate and Liam had planned to stay in Argentina for just five days but their trip turned into two weeks.
00:50Daniel Bird
Liam's final words on son Bear, 7, before his death
In August this year, Liam celebrated his 31st birthday and shared extremely rare comments about his son, Bear, 7, who he shares with Cheryl Tweedy.
Taking to Instagram at the time, Liam said: "I didn't get any dad socks yet thought. I'm going to speak to my son in a little bit which I'm really excited about. Bless him, he's getting so big now. He's a big boy and he looks like a mini me. As if we needed any more me in the world."
00:40KEY EVENT
Liam's heartbroken fans gather outside hotel where he died
Photos show large crowds of people behind a police cordon put in place in front of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina's capital. After news of Liam's death emerged, fans rushed to the hotel, forming lines that spilled into the street as police stood sentinel outside.
Young women at the scene expressed shock and heartbreak. "I didn't think he was going to die so young," 21-year-old Isabella Milesi told The Associated Press. Dozens of people gathered on the cordoned-off street outside the hotel, with many recording videos on their cellphones.
00:37Daniel Bird
Lou Teasdale issues emotional upload
Lou Teasdale, the former hair stylist for One Direction who worked with the mega-band throughout their career has sent a heartfelt message to fans.
In view of her 5.8 million followers on Instagram, she said: "I hope you're all ok," alongside a hand-heart emoji and a broken heart emoji.
00:31Daniel Bird
Dermot O'Leary's tear-jerking tribute
Presenter Dermot O'Leary has remembered Liam Payne as a 14 year-old-boy auditioning for The X Factor following the singer's death.
Alongside a photo of O'Leary and Payne standing on stage together, he wrote on Instagram: "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 was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.
"Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx"
00:29Daniel Bird
Liam's plans just hours before his death
Just hours before the news of his tragic death, the singer shared photos to his fans on Snapchat. It showed Liam sharing his food and detailed plans to play polo. He also filmed his girlfriend Kate Cassidy as they ate breakfast together. Liam said: "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.
00:10Daniel Bird
Liam's ex-fiancée breaks silence
Liam's former fiancée Maya Henry has spoken out.
The pair dated from 2019, before becoming engage din August 2020. The couple split for the final time in May 2022. A source close to Liam's ex Maya has told Mail Online: "Right now she is obviously in shock."
23:54Daniel Bird
Celebs pay tribute to Liam
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.
23:41Daniel Bird
BRIT Awards pay tribute
Liam had won a whopping seven awards, having been nominated for 12 over the years at the BRIT Awards.
In a statement shared on X, the official account wrote: "We're incredibly sad to learn of the tragic passing of Liam Payne. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this time".
23:24KEY EVENT
Liam's devastating cause of death
Liam's cause of death has been confirmed.
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." While City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said he had fallen around 40 metres and suffered “severe injuries which were 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. At 17.11 a SAME team arrived and verified the death of this man and later we found out that he was a singer in a musical group. Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation."
23:20Daniel Bird
Liam's close bond with ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy
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".
23:14Daniel Bird
Liam addressed wild rumours days before death
Days before Liam's death, he addressed rumours about his relationship.
While entertaining fans on TikTok and Snapchat with his recent outings with girlfriend Kate Cassidy has been dogged by claims about him and a close friend. Over the summer, Liam was pictured holding hands with Argentinian man Roger Nores, one of his close friends as he and their group of pals walked out of a bar. Fans instantly rushed to social media to speculate about their friendship. Roger had also joined Liam in the studio, with many pointing out that the pair were spending a lot of time together.
However, their friendship is purely platonic following reports stating otherwise in local media. Liam said: "There was a lot of things in magazines saying me and Roger are gay together – not true, unfortunately." The Polaroid hitmaker went on to say: "Although, if I was, I might go for him, who knows.
"But I'm not, so I won't and he's not – so I know he won't, either. That clears that up!"
23:09Daniel Bird
Liam checked into hotel alone
Reports claim that Liam had checked into a hotel alone before his death.
City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said he had fallen around 40 metres and suffered “severe injuries which were incompatible with life.”
He said: “The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur.
“At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.
“Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”
23:07Daniel Bird
Tragic final social media post
Liam shared a photo of his time in One Direction before he died.
Weeks before his death, the pop star took to Instagram to share a photo alongside his former bandmates. In what turned out to be his final post, the singer paid a tribute to American documentary filmmaker, writer and TV producer Morgan Spurlock.
Liam shared a photo of himself stood next to Morgan, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. Alongside the photo, Liam wrote: "Rest in peace Morgan Spurlock it was a pleasure working with you." Fans flooded the post with tributes following the shock news of his death.
23:05Daniel Bird
Liam Payne dies after tragic accident
Reports have suggested that Liam fell from the third floor of a hotel building in the Argentinian capital. Police, firefighters and ambulances were seen outside of a hotel building after Liam tragically fell. 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.