Liam Payne, a former member of the globally renowned British band One Direction, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to local authorities. The Buenos Aires police reported that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel, situated in the trendy Palermo district of Argentinas capital, suffering extremely severe injuries. Medical personnel confirmed his death at the scene, according to an official statement. In a 911 call obtained by AP, a hotel manager described Payne as a guest overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol Hes destroying the entire room, and we need someone to come quickly.

Each member of the band brought their unique personality, with Payne, originally from Wolverhampton, England, often seen as the responsible one. One Direction gained fame for its pop sound and romantic hits like What Makes You Beautiful, Night Changes, and Story of My Life. Payne had standout solos in tracks such as Stole My Heart and Change Your Ticket, and co-wrote many of the bands songs. When the group disbanded in 2016, they had achieved six Top 10 Billboard hits and a fiercely loyal fanbase known as Directioners, many of whom were teenagers. Ive always loved One Direction since I was a kid, said Juana Relh, 18, another fan outside Paynes hotel. Seeing him die and knowing therell never be a reunion is devastating. With his rapid rise to fame, Payne had admitted that adjusting to life in the public eye was difficult. I dont think you can cope with it, its a bit crazy for us to see that people have that kind of mindset about us and what we do, he said in a 2013 interview with AP, recalling an experience where a fan was left speechless upon meeting him. After One Directions split, Payne, like his former bandmates, pursued a solo career, shifting towards EDM and hip-hop. His 2017 single, Strip That Down, featuring Quavo, reached the Top 10 on Billboard and stayed on the charts for several months. He released his album LP1 in 2019, and his last single, Teardrops, came out in March. Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Gray Payne, whom he had with his ex-girlfriend, musician Cheryl, known as Cheryl Cole during her time with Girls Aloud. She was a judge on The X Factor during One Directions season, though their relationship began years later. Payne was also engaged to Maya Henry from August 2020 until early 2022. Henry published a novel earlier this year, which she said was inspired by their relationship. In addition to his son, Payne is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola. Humaimi reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Natacha Pisarenko and Débora Rey contributed to this report from Buenos Aires, Argentina