Authorities Are Unsure If Liam Payne Jumped From Balcony

One Direction alum Liam Payne died yesterday in Buenos Aries, Argentina at 31 years old. The singer fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, according to witnesses.

Payne passed away just after 5 PM local time, with authorities at the scene. Reports of the singer’s behavior had been thought to be “erratic” and he reportedly “smashed his laptop” and had to be “carried back to his room,” as The Blast previously reported.

The Head of Buenos Aires Emergency Services, Alberto Crescenti, explained the singer had “a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that lead to his immediate death,” per a report from the Daily Mail.

The “Sunshine” singer had passed away by the time paramedics arrived on the scene, Crescenti told local television.

Mr. Crescenti also explained, “Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life.”

The Daily Mail also confirmed Payne’s identity had been confirmed by his passport. His body has reportedly been taken to a local morgue for examination.

The outlet also reported onlookers in the hotel lobby revealed Payne was “off his head on drugs” and had destroyed items in his hotel room. The staff was also reported to have made two “urgent’ phone calls, with the first being a request to have assistance with escorting the singer back to his room.

The staff member who had initially made the call later called back and said, “I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger. The room has a balcony and we are afraid he might do something.”

He also requested that only an ambulance be sent to the scene.

Authorities on the case are still unsure whether the singer jumped from his balcony.

According to Us Weekly, police have confirmed to the outlet that Payne had fallen. However, “it is not known whether he jumped” or “if it was an accidental fall…”

A toxicology report is still in the works, the outlet also reported.

A vigil was held by mourners and fans later that night.

Fans are continuing to discuss Payne’s passing and preserve his memory on X. Several celebrities, including Ty Dolla Sign, have paid tribute to the singer.

“People aren’t mourning who Liam Payne became- they’re mourning the boy who was part of their youth, the music that defined a generation, and the memories tied to someone who once meant everything to so many (and that doesn’t take away that he was horrible in the end),” a fan wrote on X.

“like this isn’t just the loss of Liam Payne, this is the loss of one direction like it will never be the same again nothing will ever be the same again,” another lamented.

“I feel like most of us are so shocked over Liam Payne’s death cause that man once was part of something our 13-year-old selves could never imagine living without. like why am i actually speechless right now? it’s so weird,” a ‘Directioner’ posted.

“liam payne was a part of my childhood, 1D songs were and are still my way to escape and get lost in my childhood nostalgia. so liam payne passing makes this feel really strange, it’s like a part of my childhood is now somehow tainted. this is why it’s shocking to me,” a mourner said.

Television personality Simon Cowell was an essential figure in the story of Payne’s career. The former “American Idol” judge helped find One Direction as a founder of “The X Factor.”

The television show’s ticket company made the announcement via their X account earlier on Thursday. The talent program is in its 19th season.