What we know about Liam Payne’s death, including some of the unanswered questions – CP24

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine authorities continue to investigate the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died Wednesday at the age of 31 after falling three stories from a hotel balcony. hotel in Buenos Aires.

Payne was a beloved member of the group, formed in 2010 after its members — Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik — auditioned for the singing competition series “The X-Factor” as solo and were brought together by judge Simon Cowell to form the group. They became one of the most successful boy bands of all time, with a loyal fan base of “Directioners” and a meteoric rise to the height of Beatlemania.

Here’s what we know – and what remains unknown – about the star’s untimely death.

Police responded to hotel staff’s 911 call minutes before Payne fell

Staff at the Casa Sur hotel in the upscale Palermo district of Argentina’s capital where Payne was staying called the police on Wednesday evening to express concern about a guest who they said was “overwhelmed by the drugs and alcohol. Police rushed to the hotel and responded to the call just after 5 p.m. local time, and later confirmed they had arrived minutes before the fall.

The hotel manager can be heard in a 911 call obtained by The Associated Press saying the guest was “destroying the entire room” and added: “We need you to send someone, if he please you. The manager’s voice grew more anxious as the call continued, noting that the room had a balcony.

Prosecutors call Payne’s death ‘suspicious’ – here’s why

Authorities said the injuries from Payne’s fall were enough to cause his death, but prosecutors called Payne’s case “suspicious,” citing the likelihood that the star drank alcohol and took alcohol. drug. The office also confirmed all signs that Payne was alone at the time of the incident and authorities ordered a toxicology report.

It is unclear whether the fall was intentional or accidental, but the prosecutor said the lack of defensive wounds on Payne’s hands indicated that “he did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and would have could have fallen into a state of semi-or total collapse. unconsciousness.”

Police: Payne’s hotel room found in ‘complete disarray’

Buenos Aires police said they found Payne’s hotel room “in complete disarray.” They saw “various broken items” and recovered packets of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, energy supplements and other over-the-counter medications scattered among his belongings.

Forensic teams also reported that authorities recovered a bottle of whiskey, a lighter and a cell phone from the interior courtyard where Payne’s body was found. Evidence collected at the scene, adds a statement from Argentine authorities, suggests that Payne was “going through some sort of drug addiction episode.”

In recent years, Payne had admitted to suffering from alcoholism, saying in a YouTube video posted in July 2023 that he remained sober for six months after receiving treatment.

Authorities continue to investigate Payne’s death

As police and prosecutors await the results of the toxicology report, they continue the investigation and attempt to piece together Payne’s final moments. Authorities said they took statements from three hotel employees and two women who visited Payne in his hotel room hours before his fall. The two women had left the hotel at the time of the incident, the prosecution said.

Payne’s death sparks media ethics questions as false content swirls

TMZ, a celebrity news site known for its scoops and tabloid sensibilities, initially included cropped photos of Payne’s body after the fall that featured her identifying tattoos in its first report Wednesday. After receiving rapid backlash, the site removed the photos.

In the updated version of the story, the outlet wrote, “TMZ saw a photo showing Liam’s body on the hotel deck with tables and chairs nearby” and later described the tattoos ​​and how the image helped confirm early reports of Payne’s death. death.

Fans took to social media to express their outrage over the media outlet’s decision to share the photos.

TMZ did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The photos are still circulating on social media, along with a video of a man jumping from a burning building that users mistake as video of Payne falling. Several other videos of falls or jumps from balconies have also circulated. X’s “community notes” feature, in which readers can provide context and, in this case, debunk misrepresented content, is present on many, but not all, posts.

Here’s How One Direction Reacted to Payne’s Death

The surviving members of One Direction – Horan, Tomlinson, Styles and Malik – released a statement on Thursday saying they were “completely devastated” by Payne’s death.

“As time goes by, and everyone is able, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved dearly. The memories that we shared with him will be treasured forever,” concludes their press release.

Malik, Tomlinson and Styles also shared individual tributes on their Instagram pages on Thursday, each writing about their close friendships with Payne. All three wrote back that they were “devastated.”

Malik and Tomlinson addressed Payne directly in their statements, each calling him their brother. Tomlinson wrote that he wanted to “be an uncle” to Payne’s 7-year-old son Bear and planned to “tell him stories about how amazing his dad was.”

Payne had his son, Bear Gray Payne, with his former girlfriend, musician Cheryl, in 2017. He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.

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Huamani reported from Los Angeles.

Kaitlyn Huamani and Isabel Debré, Associated Press