Argentinian authorities say former One Direction singer Liam Payne was under the influence of drugs when he trashed his hotel room and plunged off a 4th floor balcony in Buenos Aires.
Payne, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body lay under a red tent for hours while the investigation continued into the night.
After searching his room, police found the pop star’s prescription medicines including clonazepam – a drug used to treat seizures, anxiety disorders, panic disorders and psychosis.
Police found a vial of powder near a television that was smashed in. Authorities also found powder in a bathroom and scorched aluminum foil in a bathtub.
An aluminum beverage can appeared to have been heated. The top of the can was scorched. There were also scorch marks on the table.
Police released audio of a frantic 911 call made by a hotel employee who said a guest was smashing up his room.
“We need someone to come,” the employee said. The call then cuts off and on a second call, the hotel manager adds “when he is conscious he is breaking up the room. We need you to send someone, please.”
The 911 operator then asks the manager: “Under the influence of alcohol and narcotics?”
The manager responded, “We need someone to be sent to us urgently, because I don’t know if the guest’s life is at risk. The room has a balcony and we are afraid that they might do something.”
Seconds later, Payne apparently jumped from the balcony and landed on the ground 40 feet below.
“Send only SAME, only SAME!” the manager said frantically, referring to the city’s emergency paramedic service.
Payne was pronounced dead at the scene.
City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said the singer suffered “severe injuries which were incompatible with life.”
Payne had arrived in Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy on September 30. They stayed in Argentina for two weeks after only planning to spend 5 days there.
Payne met up with former One Direction band mate Niall Horan who performed at the Movistar Arena, Buenos Aires, on October 2.
Cassidy, 25, left Argentina and returned to her home in Miami on October 12. “I just need to go home,” she said in a TikTok video.
Payne remained behind and checked into the £230-a-night Casa Sur hotel.
48 hours before he died, Payne’s ex-fiancée, Maya Henry (pictured) filed a lawsuit against him. She accused him of obsessively contacting her and turning his fans against her.
A source close to Maya Henry told DailyMail.com: “Right now she is obviously in shock.”
Payne (far right) skyrocketed to fame as part of best-selling boy band One Direction in 2010. Pictured L-R: Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Liam Payne.
As news of his death spread on social media, hundreds of grieving fans gathered outside the hotel. They held a candle-lit vigil outside and lay flowers and messages outside the hotel.
Distraught fans sang One Direction songs and held each while crying uncontrollably.
Argentinian police were forced to form a line in front of the hotel to stop local fans from getting too close to the scene.
Tributes continue to pour in on social media.
“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,” said former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary.
Paris Hilton wrote: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family and loves ones. RIP my friend.”
British pop singer Boy George described the news of his death as “awful.”
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
