Liam Payne’s ‘devastated’ family breaks silence after One Direction star dies aged 31 in tragic hotel balcony fall
LIAM Payne’s family have broken their silence after his tragic death.
The former One Direction member’s loved ones have been left “devastated”, a relative said today.
Dad-of-one Liam, 31, was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for pal Niall Horan’s tour when he reportedly plunged from the third floor of a hotel on Wednesday afternoon.
The star had arrived in Argentina on September 30 with girlfriend Kate Cassidy and was seen at pal Niall Horan’s show dancing and meeting fans on October 2.
Liam and Kate were staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo when he died.
Crowds of fans gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation last night following the news of his death – with tributes from fans and celebrity pals flooding in.
It comes as:
- One Direction fans held candlelit vigils outside the hotel
- The singer posted on Snapchat just minutes before his death
- Rylan Clark and Dermot O’Leary paid tribute to the star
- Liam’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry broke her silence after his death
- His girlfriend Kate Cassidy posted a message before he died
- Harry Styles’ mum paid heartbreaking tribute to the star
LEAVING HOME
His parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, were seen leaving home in the middle of the night.
They left “in a hurry” at around midnight last night as news of Liam’s death reached the family home in Wolverhampton.
This morning, the downstairs curtains remained drawn at the four bedroom detached house in the Codsall area of the city.
A family member who answered the door told reporters: “We’re obviously devastated at the news but we don’t want to comment.”
Neighbours said the couple left in a hurry while two women, believed to be Liam’s sisters, were seen entering the property at 9am this morning.
One local resident, who did not want to be named, said: “They were seen leaving in a hurry at around midnight last night but I’m not sure if they had bags.
Hotel manager's call to 911
911 operator: “What is happening sir?”
Hotel manager: “We have a guest drunk with drugs and alcohol. When he [them, gender not clear in conversation] is conscious, he is breaking everything in the room.”
911 operator: “You said alcohol and drugs…”
Hotel manager: “This is correct.”
911 operator: “You said Costa Rica intersecting where?”
Hotel manager: “Costa Rica 6032.”
911 operator: “Repeat.”
Hotel manager: “Costa Rica 6032.”
911 operator: “What is the hotel called?”
Hotel manager: “Caza Azul Palermo. We need to send someone with urgency because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger because he is in a room with balcony, and we are afraid he could do something that threatens life.”
911 operator: “How long has he been there? Is it a long-stay hotel?”
Hotel manager: “(The guest) has been for the past three days.”
911 operator: “You don’t any other information because you can’t get in. Right?”
Hotel manager: “No.”
911 operator: “We are also notifying SAME (Medical Emergency Attention Service).”
Hotel manager: “We are asking to send someone with urgency because…”
911 operator: “We are doing that. Any other data to give me. Who are you?”
Hotel manager: “I’m the desk manager.”
911 operator: “Person in charge of the place.”
Hotel manager – “Yes.”
911 operator: “It has been notified. What is your name, sir?”
Hotel manager: “Esteban.”
911 operator: “Thanks for calling. Be online.”
Hotel manager: “Are you sending police too.”
911 operator: “Police from the delegation… Let me confirm.”
Hotel manager: “No, no, only SAME, only SAME (Medical Emergency Attention Service).”
911 operator: “Don’t worry because they have already been notified.”
Hotel manager: “Because as you said he is under the influence of alcohol and drugs, SAME personnel can’t enter alone.”
911 operator: “You can ask that to the police, but if SAME needs them, they will notify you.”
Hotel manager: “Good, OK, perfect.”
911 operator: “Have a good day.”
Hotel manager: “Thanks, you too.”
“You can’t imagine what they are going through. I know Liam liked to get back here when he could.
“They will be utterly heartbroken as they were very close.
“His home town always had a place in his heart. The community is going to be devastated. I think the sisters are there now, your heart goes out to them.”
Another neighbour said: “I think they left last night at around 12pm. The parents aren’t here. All I can say really is condolences to them.”
Tributes have also been paid to Liam across his home town.
Celebrity tributes to Liam Payne
CELEBRITY pals have been flooding Liam Payne's last Instagram post with sad tributes after news of the singer's death broke.
Broadcaster Rylan Clark said RIP Liam: “Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young.”
Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
FAME
The singer first auditioned for the X Factor as a solo artist in 2008, aged just 14, but was eliminated.
Two years later he tried again and was included as part of boyband One Direction, formed by music mogul Simon Cowell especially for the ITV show.
After reaching the final stages of the competition, the band went onto huge global success, becoming one of the highest selling boybands of all time.
They went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.
The following year, Liam released solo single Strip That Down, featuring US rapper Quavo, which peaked at number three and was nominated for two Brit Awards.
He released his only solo album LP1 in 2019.
The singer began dating Girls Aloud member and former X Factor judge Cheryl in 2016.
In March 2017 the couple welcomed son Bear. They split the following year.
He had an on-off, three-year relationship with ex-fiancée Maya Henry which was said to have ended for good in May, 2022.
Earlier this week Henry called in the lawyers after accusing Liam of repeatedly messaging her, her friends, and her mum.
DRUG BATTLE
The singer had been open about his battles with drugs.
In 2021, he blamed a “pills and booze phase” for bloating his face to “ten times the size”, while also revealing he used to guzzle the contents of his mini bar when band chiefs checked the lads into hotels to keep fans at bay.
In 2019, Liam revealed he suffered suicidal thoughts as he struggled with his fame on Ant Middleton And Liam Payne: Straight Talking.
He said: “For some certain circumstances I’m quite lucky to be here still.
“There are times when that level of loneliness and people getting into you every day, it’s like, ‘When will this end?’ That’s almost nearly killed me a couple of times.”
He is survived by his son Bear, seven, his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
WOLVERHAMPTON MOURNS
Payne developed a love of performing as a schoolboy at St Peter’s Collegiate School in Compton and had studied music at Wolverhampton College before auditioning on the X Factor as a teenager.
Liam’s former school St Peter’s Collegiate Academy said today: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our former student, Liam Payne.
“During his time at St Peter’s Collegiate Academy, Liam was not only well-liked by his peers and teachers but also recognised for his talents.
“He made a positive impact on our school community, and his contributions will be remembered.
“Our thoughts are with Liam’s family and friends during this difficult time. We extend our sincere condolences to all those affected by his passing.”
Louise Fall, principal and chief executive at Wolverhampton College, said: “We were sorry to hear the news about former student Liam Payne and wish to extend our sympathies to his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Liam was also a West Bromwich Albion fan and the club paid tribute to the singer on X, formerly Twitter.
They said: “We’re shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Baggies fan and musician, Liam Payne.
“Our thoughts are with Liam’s family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time.”
Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre also paid tribute to Liam, who last visited the venue in 2013.
The statement read: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Liam Payne this morning and of course his millions of fans, with whom we share immense grief.
“We are always so proud of Wolverhamptoners whose talent propels them to stardom on stage, screen and music.
“Liam last visited the Grand Theatre as an audience member during the height of One Direction in 2013, we know memories of that night will last long the memories of those who met him.”
Inside Liam Payne and Cheryl's romance
By Joanne Kavanagh
IT was a romance that caused a media storm.
One Direction hunk Liam Payne was in a relationship with X Factor judge Cheryl.
The pair – who have a ten-year age gap – got together while Cheryl was going through her divorce to second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini at the beginning of 2016.
Despite their age difference they looked completely infatuated with each other when the couple made their red carpet debut at Cannes in May 2016.
Liam even paid a sweet tribute to his girlfriend by getting a tattoo of her eye on his arm.
In 2017, Liam and Cheryl welcomed their baby.
Cheryl posted a picture on Instagram of Liam cradling their 7lb 9oz baby.
She captioned the sweet snap with: “On Wednesday Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy looking like a dream.”
One pal told The Sun: “Cheryl gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, and both are doing well.
“Liam didn’t leave Cheryl’s side throughout the birth, and like her, he is besotted with their new son and can’t wait to take him home.
“This is the perfect Mother’s Day for Cheryl.”
The Sun revealed in May 2017, that the couple named their son Bear.
They decided on the unusual name after spending a week getting to know him.
Bear adopted his One Direction star dad’s surname, so he is called Bear Payne.
A source revealed: “Cheryl and Liam wanted to get to know [their son] before they decided on the name.
“They didn’t have the name Bear before the birth.
“But they’d been thinking of a name since meeting him and they just felt it suited him.”
In February 2018, The Sun broke the story that Liam’s constant travelling to promote his solo career had placed a huge strain on the relationship, and they were ready to split.
That same month, Cheryl declared that “none of it matters” as she shrugged off questions about her crumbling romance with Liam during a BBC Breakfast interview.
They then put on a united front together at the Brit Awards, where they smiled on the red carpet and Cheryl joked about the couple’s ‘safe word’.
However, by July 2018, Cheryl and Liam made the decision to split.
A pal told The Sun: “Cheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship – they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them.
“But they’re in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it’s best for everyone if they do go their separate ways.”
Liam and Cheryl then released a statement confirming their break-up.
They posted a message on social media that read: “We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It’s been a tough decision for us to make.
“We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.”
Fellow Wolverhampton-born star, Beverley Knight, described feeling “stunned” at the news of the singer’s death.
Writing on Facebook, she said: “I know this sense of utter shock is felt by millions around the world right now.
“I always kept my eye on what my fellow Wolverhamptoners in the spotlight were doing, and felt immense pride that a young lad from my town had become a worldwide star, a member of one of the best selling boybands of all time.
“I was also concerned that the spotlight had become a little too bright for such a young life.
“My heart is shattered for his parents Karen and Geoff, and his son whose future memories have been snatched away.”
Liam also supported a Wolverhampton youth centre called The Way Youth Zone, becoming an ambassador, as well as backing the city’s Central Youth Theatre.
The youth club said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Liam Payne.
“As an ambassador for our Youth Zone during its early years, Liam raised awareness of our charity and supported our mission to empower young people in Wolverhampton.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach, described the news of Liam’s death as “tragic”.
She said: “Wolverhampton is extremely proud of Liam, a young man from humble beginnings who went on to achieve global stardom with millions of fans around the world.
“I know that members of his family still live locally and I wish to send my sincere condolences to them for the unimaginable grief they must be experiencing.
“It is tragic to think he has been taken from the world so young, it doesn’t seem long ago that he was performing with the rest of One Direction in Wolverhampton city centre during those X Factor days when their fame was just beginning.
“Our thoughts today are with all those who knew and loved Liam, may he rest in peace.”
Holly Parry, CEO of Wolverhampton’s Central Youth Theatre, said: “Liam didn’t attend Central Youth Theatre as a member, but was always as I believe supportive of local performing arts opportunities for young people in Wolverhampton, particularly giving voice and championing the huge benefits that grassroots arts opportunities can offer young people locally.
“As I understand, he attended Pink Productions to take part in performances as a youngster.
“As a fellow Wolverhampton Youth Theatre, we’re so incredibly sad to hear about his death, and send our condolences to all who knew him and worked with him at Pink Productions.
“To have such an incredibly talented individual hail from Wolverhampton gives our city such pride, Liam served as a role model to so many talented young people from across the city and our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.”
Councillor Hilary Bills, Mayor of Dudley, said: “People across the world will be sad and shocked to hear the news of Liam’s untimely passing, and my thoughts are with his family and friends.
“He was a true local talent, much-loved across the Black Country and in his hometown of Wolverhampton.
“I, like many local people, remember when he appeared at the Christmas Lights switch on in Dudley in 2009, with fans coming from all over to get a glimpse.”
Liam was honoured in 2013 by the University of Wolverhampton as one of the city’s Famous Sons & Daughters outside its Gateway building.
A University of Wolverhampton spokesperson added: “We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to Liam Payne’s family and friends in Wolverhampton.”