Heaving shrine to late Liam Payne outside hotel grows as grief-stricken fans write: ‘We love you’
HEARTBROKEN Liam Payne fans have gathered outside the hotel where he died to pay tribute to the beloved singer.
The One Direction star tragically fell to his death from a third-floor balcony on Wednesday with floods of devastated fans coming together since to create a touching shrine.
Fans started to gather outside the Hotel Cas Sur in Buenos Aires last night after Liam’s death was confirmed.
Grief-stricken supporters of both Liam and the iconic One Direction band turned up with hand-written messages, flowers and candles.
The poignant words honouring the 31-year-old singer were written in both Spanish and English and have been fixed to a tree outside the hotel.
Rows of lit red and white candles and colourful bouquets of flowers can be seen placed around the tree creating a loving vigil.
Other moving items such as a heart-shaped ornament with the words “Te Amo” – I Love You in Spanish – have also been included in the tribute.
One of the personal notes written on a tiny piece of ripped paper said in Spanish: “Thank you for so much Liam. I love you.”
Another above it said: “Dear Liam. Many thanks for accompanying us over so many years and helping us in our best and worst moments. We will never forget you.”
Several of the pinned up messages told Liam to “fly high”.
It comes as:
- Heartbreaking 911 call from hotel staff revealed
- Liam’s family break their silence
- The singer posted on Snapchat just minutes before his death
- Rylan Clark and Dermot O’Leary paid tribute to the singer
- His ex-fiancée Maya Henry broke her silence after his death
- Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy’s message before he died
- Harry Styles’ mum pays heartbreaking tribute to the star
- Inside the hotel where Liam tragically died
Many also credited the X Factor superstar for helping to save their lives through his music, personality online and glittering career.
Another fan called Mica left a message saying: “I never thought things would end like this for you.
“I love you and will always love you.
“You were part of my childhood and adolescence and you helped me in my most difficult moments together with the other boys in the band.”
She finished the note with a drawing of a heart.
The messages were intertwined with some of the most memorable images from Liam’s time in the spotlight.
Pictures of a fresh faced teen first stepping on stage for auditions on the X Factor where shown.
Along with many from his stellar career as part of One Direction including solo shots and album covers of the whole band.
Fans were seen openly weeping as they stood around and watched emergency crews enter and leave the hotel.
A police cordon was made outside the upmarket complex as forensic cops and ambulance workers checked his body and moved it to the morgue.
The 31-year-old singer was in Buenos Aires for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s tour when he died after falling from a hotel balcony.
Hotel staff reported him acting “erratically” before his death as they told cops in a panicked 911 call to rush over and help them calm Liam down.
Before officers arrived he is believed to have fallen and cracked his skull just before 5pm local time (9pm UK time).
The spokesperson for the local ambulance service said Liam’s death had been confirmed on the spot after he had fallen and suffered severe injuries.
Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti said initial findings point towards him fracturing his skull.
Police are set to carry out an autopsy with a post-mortem expected later today.
Part of their investigations in the coming days are expected to revolve around a reported hunt for a drug dealer.
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.”
Local media published pictures allegedly showing inside Liam’s Buenos Aires hotel room shortly after his fatal fall.
The devastating images appear to be of white powder and burnt aluminium foil as well as a smashed TV screen.
Argentina‘s biggest newspaper Clarin first published the images alongside the claim: “Damage and drugs in the hotel room Liam Payne was staying in in Buenos Aires.”
Cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are but are due to run tests on them shortly.
If the alleged items do turn out to be illegal substances then officers are expected to look into who may have supplied them.
Witnesses at the hotel reported Liam had to be carried back to his room by concerned onlookers, according to TMZ.
The head of reception at the hotel made two 911 calls in the minutes before his death.
In the first he said: “We have a guest who is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.”
Before he warned: “We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger.
“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”
Liam had arrived in Argentina on September 30 with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
A harrowing post on Snapchat only minutes before his death showed him with Cassidy looking into a mirror.
His family members broke their silence by saying the heartbreaking news has left them “devastated”.
Neighbours said Liam’s parents left in a hurry from their Wolverhampton home at around midnight.
Two women, believed to be his sisters, were then seen entering the property at 9am this morning.
He has left behind his seven-year-old son Bear who he shared with Cheryl after the pair met when Liam was on the X Factor.
The Wolverhampton star was born August 29, 1993, and had early health battles and was bullied at secondary school.
He first shot to fame aged just 14 when he appeared on X Factor in 2008.
Liam returned to sing in front of Simon Cowell in 2010 before he was grouped up with four other talented young singers and went on to form One Direction.
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.”