Liam Payne's hotel room found in 'total disorder' after singer's death, police say
Local police said Liam Payne suffered 'extremely serious injuries' from a fall from a third-floor hotel balcony, as ITV News' Geraint Vincent reports
Liam Payne's hotel room was found in "total disorder" when it was searched after his death, police have said.
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to police.
When officers later searched the One Direction star's room they found over-the-counter medications and traces of Clonazepam - an anxiety drug - a statement read.
A bottle of whiskey, lighter and mobile phone were also recovered from the hotel atrium, where Payne's body was found, said police, who shared pictures of Payne's room.
"Upon entering, total disorder was observed, with various elements broken," a police statement read.
It added: "The balcony area was inspected in order to establish access to it."
Authorities confirmed they had taken fingerprints from a number of the items found both near Payne's body and in his hotel room.
Staff at the Casa Sur Hotel had phoned emergency services shortly before Payne's death to report concerns about his safety.
A full transcript of the call - which was released by police - between a staff member and emergency call handler showed fears expressed by the former that a "guest's life is in danger".
Local police said they were called to the hotel at around 5pm after reports of an "aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol".
A preliminary autopsy report said Payne died from "polytrauma" that caused "internal and external hemorrhage".
In a separate statement, police said Payne suffered "extremely serious injuries" from the fall and that medics confirmed his death on the spot.
Payne's body was later transported from the hotel in an ambulance as fans gathered outside to light candles and pay tributes.
The singer's family said in a statement they are "heartbroken", adding: "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."
Payne was in Buenos Aires on holiday with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and was posting on social media hours before his death.
Two weeks ago, he also attended the concert of former bandmate Niall Horan in the Argentinian capital, having been seen dancing at the Movistar Arena alongside Cassidy.
Cassidy posted on TikTok that she was travelling home from the city just a couple of days before Payne was found dead.
In a tribute following his death, the X Factor said Payne will "leave a lasting legacy on the music industry".
"We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne", the show's official account wrote alongside a photo of the star."
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Britain's Got Talent decided to postpone its auditions in Blackpool on Thursday "due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne", ticket distributor ApplauseStore wrote on X.
Simon Cowell, who was a mentor to Payne during his first stint on X Factor, would have been in attendance to judge the auditions.
Payne had confirmed in May 2023 that he was working on his second album, and officially returned to music in March 2024 with his single Teardrops.
He came into the spotlight when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 aged 14, before being cut at the bootcamp stage of the show. He was told by Cowell to return two years later.
It was his second time on the show in 2010 when he met his bandmates Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Horan and Harry Styles.
ITV News North of England reporter Kelly Foran was in Blackpool, where Britain's Got Talent auditions were cancelled following the announcement of Payne's death
After each singer failed to make it through the competition as solo acts, Cowell and his fellow judges combined them into what would become one of the world's most successful boy bands, with a loyal fan base, known as "Directioners".
They released five albums and had four world tours, before going on indefinite hiatus in 2016. Payne also had writing credits on some of the band's biggest hits including History, Steal My Girl and Story of My Life.
Payne released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019 which included the singles Polaroid and Familiar.
He had opened up about his struggles with alcoholism as One Direction grew in worldwide popularity in various interviews over the years.
Payne also was hospitalised with a kidney infection twice in 2023 which forced him to postpone his tour in Latin America.
Payne shared videos of himself and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, in Argentina shortly before his death
Further tributes to Liam Payne
Tributes poured in from fans and celebrities around the world after the news of the One Direction star's death became public.
Former X Factor host, Dermot O'Leary who presented the show for over 10 years said on ITV's This Morning that Payne was "both wise and sort of a young soul at exactly the same time".
"It's such a huge amount of pressure to be put on young shoulders... I just thought, he's been, not just famous, he's had worldwide fame for basically half his life, which is an incredible amount of time for that level of pressure."
The mother of Payne's One Direction bandmate Harry Styles shared a tribute to him, posting, "Just a boy..." alongside a picture of a broken heart, on her Instagram account.
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Katie Waissel, who participated in The X Factor with Payne in 2010, paid tribute to the singer on X, but also used her statement to criticise the lack of support for people working in the music industry.
"[Payne's] tragic passion not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry," she wrote.
Another former X Factor star, Rebecca Ferguson, similarly reflected on "the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects" in her tribute to Payne.
"We both met at Euston station and shared the taxi together to X Factor, young, innocent and unaffected by fame... If he hadn't jumped on that train and jumped in that taxi I believe he would be alive today," she wrote on X.
Dermot O'Leary said on ITV's This Morning that Payne was 'both wise and sort of a young soul at exactly the same time'
Media personality and fellow former X Factor contestant Rylan Clark described Payne’s death as “tragic” and "extremely sad".
Food bank charity Trussell has paid tribute to singer Liam Payne for his “compassion and kindness” in helping its work.
Payne helped to provide more than 360,000 meals to people struggling as a result of the pandemic and had said he wanted to "play [his] part in finding a solution to ensure people have enough money to buy their own food – and end the need for food banks”.
Former SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton, who made a documentary with Payne, said he was 'shocked' by the news
Socialite Paris Hilton called the news "so upsetting" in a post on X, and sent her "love and condolences" to his friends and family.
A statement on the official X account of the Brit Awards said: "We're incredibly sad to learn of the tragic passing of Liam Payne. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this time."
Former X Factor duo Jedward also paid tribute to the singer and his family on social media, saying they sent "strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One Direction family".
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