One direction super star Liam Payne dies at age of 31

BUENOS AIRES: Liam Payne, the 31-year-old singer and former member of the hit boy band One Direction, tragically passed away on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

He was in Argentina to attend a concert by fellow One Direction alumnus Niall Horan. According to medical reports, Payne died instantly from the fall from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel.

Police were already en route to the hotel following reports of the residents saying “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol,”  may attempt suicide, the police arrived just in time to hear a thud, discovering Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard.

Payne had openly discussed his struggles with drug addiction and suicidal thoughts, advocating for greater awareness of mental health issues in interviews, including one with Men’s Health Australia.

He mentioned that he often resorted to alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame, stating he had been drunk “quite a lot of the time” to manage the overwhelming nature of his experiences since he was 16.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, and authorities, led by the head of the state emergency medical system, Alberto Crescenti, are conducting an investigation and autopsy.

In the wake of his passing, fans gathered outside the Casa Sur Hotel, lighting candles in tribute to the beloved artist. Fellow musician Charlie Puth expressed his sorrow, recalling Payne’s kindness and noting that he was one of the first major artists he collaborated with. “I cannot believe he is gone,” Puth lamented.