Liam Payne hotel guest who saw star fall past hotel window to his death reveals he’s still ‘haunted’ by tragedy
A HOTEL guest who saw Liam Payne fall past his hotel window has revealed he’s still “haunted” by the tragedy.
The singer passed away on October 16 after falling from his third floor balcony at Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires.
The One Direction star was heavily “intoxicated” in the busy up-market location in the Palermo district.
Witness Bret Watson has now told TMZ he’s been left “haunted” by seeing Liam plunge to the ground.
He said: “We happened to be looking out of the window of our hotel at the pool area to show her [the planner] the view from the hotel.
“We saw Liam fall… and so we immediately rushed out on the balcony to see what it was and when we looked down we could see that it was Liam laying on the ground.
Bret said he believed Liam, 31, passed away immediately following the tragic fall.
“The wedding planner and I looked at each other like ‘oh my God, this is real, this actually happened’.”
He described the situation as “heartbreaking”, “haunting”, and something he would never forget.
Bret said he and wedding guests saw Liam throughout that day and noticed he was becoming more and more intoxicated.
At one point, staff had to carry the singer songwriter up from the lobby to his room, where he fell from the balcony soon after.
The witness’ testimony comes a month after his funeral took place with One Direction band mates and loved ones attending.
He had been in the country to renew his US visa having relocated to Florida with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy.
Kate had returned home early after feeling homesick, a few days before he plunged to his death in Buenos Aires.
During his trip he attended Niall Horan’s sell-out concert at the Movista
But the trip took a dark turn with Liam “behaving erratically”, and witnesses claiming he had to be carried back to his room after smashing his laptop.
Cops are now investigating the death with five suspects set to learn in weeks whether they will be prosecuted.
Two employees at the Buenos Aires hotel where the 31-year-old singer died have joined three other men under official investigation.
A judge has demanded police cybercrime specialists carry out “22 examinations of different phones and computers” confiscated from witnesses and suspects during prosecutor-requested raids.
By the time the judge makes her decision on charges, she is expected to have received reports on the phones and computers belonging to the suspects and witnesses.
The late singer’s grieving girlfriend later attended his funeral, alongside his former bandmates, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
Payne’s ex Cheryl Cole, the mother of their seven-year-old son, Bear, was also in attendance, as well as music mogul, Simon Cowell, whose show the X Factor launched Liam into the stratosphere.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED friends, family and fans have paid heartbreaking tributes to Liam as news of the singer's death circulated across the world.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
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…”
American singer, 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…”
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.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”