LIVE: Cause of Liam Payne's death revealed after Buenos Aires balcony fall; tributes pour in from fans and friends
by Katy Ronkin · LBCLive
By Katy Ronkin
One Direction star Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
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31-year-old Liam Payne was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
He had been in the city for his former bandmate Niall Horan's tour.
Alberto Crescenti, a senior local medical official, said that Payne fell from around 13 or 14 metres and that he suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life".
Read more: Liam Payne's poignant last image with girlfriend before his death from 'hotel balcony fall'
After news of Payne's death emerged, tearful fans began gathering outside his hotel, leading police to cordon off the entrance.
The group were seen hugging and lighting candles at the scene as they paid an emotional tribute to the One Direction singer.
Wolverhampton-born Payne joined One Direction in 2010 alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, after they were placed together on The X Factor. It was Payne's second time trying out for the show.
He has a son called Bear from his previous relationship with singer Cheryl, who was a judge on X Factor.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates as tributes pour in from around the world.
- 31-year-old Liam Payne was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
- He and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy had been in the city for former bandmate Niall Horan's tour.
- Payne fell from around 13 or 14 metres and medical officials in Argentina said that he suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life".
- Family say 'Liam will forever live in our hearts' in statement.
Preliminary autopsy 'complete'
A preliminary autopsy has been completed, according to local media.
The results, as reported by news outlet Clarín, the tragic singer's death was caused by " multiple trauma " and due to " internal and external bleeding ."
Local media reports say that the first autopsy "finished at 11:30 pm last night. The body was transferred to the morgue at 8:30 pm. It started at 9pm and finished two and a half hours later. The doctors are trying to figure out what kind of substances [Liam] took and if they were the ones that caused the psychological state that led to his death.”
Katy Ronkin
Showbiz journalist Sarah Robertson and Shelagh Fogarty respond to Liam Payne's family statement
Katy Ronkin
Rita Ora says Liam Payne's death is 'heartbreaking'
Singer Rita Ora, who performed with Liam Payne on For You - from the film Fifty Shades Freed - said the news of his death "breaks my heart".
In a post on X, she said the 31-year-old singer had the 'kindest soul'.
Katy Ronkin
Family say 'Liam will forever live in our hearts'
A statement from his family, issued via a spokeswoman to the PA news agency said: "We are heartbroken.
"Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
"We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."
Flaminia Luck
Liam Payne - the boy from Wolverhampton with The X Factor
Liam rose to fame after auditioning for the fifth season of television series The X Factor in 2008 at the age of 14.
After being eliminated in the competition, he was told by judge Simon Cowell "come back in two years".
He was then put into a group with four other boys - Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson - after a suggestion from guest judge Nicole Sherzinger.
The group released five studio albums and won seven Brit Awards, including for their 2012 debut hit What Makes You Beautiful, to the track History from their last album in 2015, released months after Malik left the group.
Katy Ronkin
Liam Payne's ex-fiancée breaks silence after former One Direction star falls to his death aged 31
Liam Payne's ex-fiancée has broken her silence after the death of the former One Direction star.
Payne had been in a relationship with Maya Henry on-and-off for three years.
A source close to Ms Henry told Mail Online after his death: "Right now she is obviously in shock".
Read the full story here: Liam Payne's ex-fiancée breaks silence after former One Direction star falls to his death aged 31
Katy Ronkin
Heart Breakfast's Amanda Holden pays tribute to 'brilliant' Liam Payne following his tragic death
The Britain's Got Talent judge spoke this morning after the X Factor star's death was revealed. Amanda sent her thoughts to his family, including his seven-year-old son Bear and former partner Cheryl.
Amanda began: "I mean it was just absolutely shocking to hear the news last night."
She continued: "Our producer was saying that when Liam came into Heart a few years ago, how brilliant he was. He went in, he made an effort, he shook hands with everyone, spoke to absolutely everybody and that just shows who he is, who he was."
Watch the full video here:
Katy Ronkin
Liam Payne's family 'utterly devastated' by loss
Liam Payne's family are 'devastated' by his death, a relative told reporters today.
Payne's parents Geoff and Karen Payne left their Wolverhampton home "in a hurry" at around midnight last night .
This morning, the downstairs curtains were closed at their family home.
A family member who answered the door told reporters: "We're obviously devastated at the news but we don't want to comment."
Neighbours told the Mirror that the couple left last night at around midnight while two women, believed to be Liam's sisters, were seen entering the property at 9am this morning.
Katy Ronkin
One Direction's former management break silence: 'forever in our hearts'
Modest! Management said it is "absolutely devestated" by the news of Payne's death.
The management company was responsible for the boy band in their early days.
Katy Ronkin
We can now share the full transcript of the emergency call made last night by the hotel where Liam Payne was staying.
The conversation between the hotel desk manager and the 911 operator gives a glimpse into the moments surrounding the star's death.
Read the full transcript below:
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."
Katy Ronkin