Former One Direction star Liam Payne, known for his openness about past struggles with alcohol abuse, has tragically died by suicide in Argentina. Payne had recently celebrated six months of sobriety following a 100-day stay in rehab, which he discussed in a 2023 YouTube video.
On Wednesday, the 30-year-old singer fell from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires. Witnesses described Payne as acting erratically before the incident, including smashing his laptop in the hotel lobby. According to 911 audio released by a local Argentinian TV station, the hotel owner reported that Payne was “on drugs and destroying the whole room.”
Despite attempts to intervene, the British pop star was found dead around 5 pm local time. Payne had traveled to Argentina earlier this year in hopes of reconciling with former bandmate Niall Horan, who was set to perform in the country.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.