Former One Direction member Liam Payne has passed away at the age of 31 following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, News About Nigeria reports.
Local police said emergency services responded to a distress call from hotel staff in the Palermo neighbourhood, where Payne had been staying.
Staff reported an incident involving the singer, who had a history of struggles with drugs and alcohol, according to police records.
“We have a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol,” the hotel manager said on the call. “He breaks things up. He is tearing the whole room apart.”
The manager told the call operator that because Payne’s room had a balcony, “we’re a little afraid that he’ll do something.”
Payne’s tragic death has left fans and the music industry reeling, with celebrity tributes pouring in from all corners of the world.
In a post on Instagram, Harry Styles’ mom, Anne Twist, posted an image of a broken heart emoji, captioned “Just a boy.”
Just days before his death, Payne was seen attending former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert in Argentina, showing support for his One Direction colleague.
The late singer leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner Cheryl Cole, a former X Factor judge who had been present for both of Payne’s X Factor auditions in 2008 and 2010.
Payne rose to fame after being grouped with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan on The X Factor in 2010, leading to the formation of One Direction.
Despite not winning the competition, the group signed with Simon Cowell’s record label and went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands in history, known for chart-topping hits and worldwide tours before announcing an “indefinite hiatus” in 2016.
