“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend, and a father.” – Cheryl Cole
Liam James Payne, born August 29, 1993, was an English songwriter and a member of the best-selling boy band One Direction. He was cherished by many, including his family, friends, and fans. Tragically, on the night of October 16, 2024, everything changed—Liam Payne, at 31 years old, died.
A Trip for a Friend Ends on a Somber Note
What could have been a fun weekend in Argentina took a tragic turn. On October 2, 2024, Liam reunited with his bandmate, Niall Horan, during one of Niall’s concerts. They shared hugs, reminisced, and enjoyed each other’s company. However, as the night came to an end and they said their goodbyes, Niall reflected in his tribute, “I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.”
On October 16, local authorities received a call from the CasaSur Palermo hotel requesting assistance because a guest was causing a disturbance in one of the rooms. Here’s the transcript of that call gathered and translated by the BBC:
After a loud violent scream that echoed the Buenos Aires establishment, Liam Payne was found dead. Turns out, that the One Direction member fell from his balcony.
The Autopsy
The report revealed multiple hemorrhages and traces of drugs in Liam Payne’s system.
After falling from the third floor of a hotel, Payne was declared dead by the authorities. According to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, he suffered multiple internal and external hemorrhages, with 25 of these injuries confirmed to be caused by the fall, as noted by the coroner. However, the primary cause of Payne’s immediate death were the head injuries he sustained, along with injuries to his abdomen, limbs, and thorax.
Now that the toxicology report has been released, more details have come to light regarding the incident, which began with substances in his system, notably what is referred to as “pink cocaine”- a cocktail of drugs containing methamphetamine, ketamine, and ecstasy. Additionally, traces of crack cocaine and benzodiazepine were also found in his system.
A Call for Help
Liam Payne was affectionately known as the “Daddy Direction” of One Direction, where he took on the role of leader. Once the top-grossing new band in the music industry, they eventually went on hiatus and disbanded. Afterward, each member sought to establish their solo careers, but it was clear that the hiatus deeply affected all of them, especially Liam.
He released several singles and songs, some of which were underrated while others gained popularity. However, in the years leading up to his death, Liam frequently opened up about his struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse. While some so-called fans turned into critics, a loyal few remained to support the fading star—until his last stardust burned up and vanished.
Tributes for Liam
Fans around the world mourned Liam Payne’s death, but it was his family who felt the greatest loss, especially his 7-year-old son, Bear, who will grow up without his father. Stars and the One Direction members shared heartfelt tributes, reminiscing about their time together and expressing how shocking the news of Liam’s passing was to everyone who knew him. His legacy will live on in the memories he created and the impact he had on those who loved him.
