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The former One Direction member passed away on October 16, 2024 after a fall from the third floor of a hotel.
Liam Payne, the singer who gained fame as a member of One Direction, passed away on October 16 at the age of 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before his passing, Payne had openly discussed his struggles with addiction, revealing that he spent 100 days in rehab in 2023.
Payne’s death occurred around 5 p.m. local time after he fell from the third floor of a hotel. According to a press release from the Argentina National Prosecutor’s Office regarding his autopsy report, authorities discovered what appeared to be alcohol and narcotics in his hotel room.
An analysis has been requested by the prosecutor’s office to determine whether alcohol or drugs were present in Payne’s stomach and blood at the time of his death.
Minutes before Payne’s passing, a hotel employee called the emergency line to report a guest who appeared to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol and had caused damage to the room, though the guest’s identity was not disclosed. According to audio obtained by Telemundo, part of NBCUniversal, the staff member said, “He is in a room that has a balcony, and we are a little afraid he will do something that puts his life at risk.“
The prosecutor’s office stated that “all evidence suggests the musician was alone at the time of the fall and was experiencing some sort of breakdown related to substance abuse.“
Payne’s representatives have not responded to NBC News’ request for comment. His family issued a statement, describing him as “a kind, funny, and brave soul.“
Here’s what is known about Payne’s death, as well as his history with addiction and mental health challenges.
How did Liam Payne die?
Liam Payne’s death on October 16, 2024 was detailed in a statement to Telemundo from the Sistema de Atencio Medica de Emergencia. The statement noted that “British musician Liam James Payne, composer and guitarist, former member of the band One Direction, died today after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo.“
Earlier that afternoon, police from Precinct 14B were dispatched to the hotel following a 911 call about an aggressive individual who might have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Security Ministry of Buenos Aires confirmed to the Associated Press that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room. When emergency responders arrived, they pronounced him dead due to “extremely serious injuries.“
Liam Payne's Autopsy Report
According to an autopsy report from the Argentina National Prosecutor’s Office, Payne’s cause of death was “polytrauma and internal and external bleeding.” The report also stated that various substances found in his hotel room suggested previous alcohol and drug use.
The fall resulted in “multiple traumatic injuries” and “internal and external bleeding,” leading to his death. The prosecutor’s office indicated that Payne appeared to have been alone when he fell, and “no injuries were observed that could suggest the intervention of third parties.”
Furthermore, the position of Payne’s body suggested that he “did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself,” indicating he may have been in a semi-conscious or unconscious state during the fall.
Liam Payne was in rehab last 2023
In July 9, 2023, Liam Payne shared a YouTube video updating fans on his health after completing a 100-day rehabilitation program.
“I needed to take some time for myself because I had become someone I didn’t recognize, and I’m sure you didn’t either,” Payne explained.
While in rehab, Payne had no access to a phone, an experience he found refreshing. “I was in bad shape until then, and I was really happy to put a pause on life and work when I arrived,” he said.
By the time he recorded the video, Payne had been sober for nearly six months and had stopped drinking. “It’s good to be in this position,” he said. “I definitely don’t need those things anymore. The party’s over.”
He also mentioned feeling more in control of his life and was focused on being a better father to his 7-year-old son, Bear. “There’s no point in trying to be a dad when you have nothing to teach,” Payne added. “Until now, I didn’t have much to offer him beyond caring for him deeply and loving him, which are obviously the most important things.”
Liam Payne turned to Alcohol to cope with his fame
Liam Payne turned to alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame during his time in One Direction. In a 2019 interview with Men’s Health Australia, he opened up about the isolating aspects of stardom and how he began drinking to manage his emotions. He found the repetitive nature of touring especially difficult when he wasn’t in a good mental state.
“It’s like putting on the Disney costume before stepping on stage, and underneath, I was often drunk because it was the only way to make sense of what was happening. It was fun; we had a blast, but there were parts that became a bit toxic,” Payne said.
On the 2021 “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, Payne also recalled excessive drinking while being confined to his hotel room during tours. “When the band got really big, the best way to keep us safe was to lock us in our rooms. And of course, there was the mini bar. So, I thought, ‘Well, I’ll have a party for one,’ and that pattern continued for many years,” he explained.
Liam Payne Sought Therapy
Payne sought therapy to improve his relationship with alcohol and told USA Today in 2019 that he had remained sober for a year. Therapy played a significant role in developing a healthier approach to drinking.
“Fortunately, I had the best people around me during those times who helped me recognize areas where I could improve,” he said. “Having kids completely shifts your perspective on everything.” He also reflected, “I’m still young, at least I’d like to think so, and I have a lot of learning to do. I’m still finding myself as a person.”
“As you get older, hangovers become a completely different experience,” Payne said. “There’s that old saying, ‘I’ll just have one,’ but you never really know. Sometimes, even if the night goes too far or mistakes are made, I’m okay with it as long as I can perform my job the next day to a standard I’m satisfied with. I can just chalk it up as a lesson learned and move on. I still enjoy going out and having a good time.”
Liam Payne's Struggle with Anxiety
Payne has been open about the anxiety fame brought into his life, telling Esquire Middle East that at one point, he was too anxious to leave his house. Research suggests a frequent connection between anxiety and substance use disorders, although the relationship isn’t fully understood.
“I developed a bit of agoraphobia. I wouldn’t leave the house, and even now, there are days when I just don’t want to go out, even if it’s just to the store,” he explained.
He added, “I don’t think it’s about struggling with being recognized on the street as much as it is a mental battle. It’s the anticipation of getting ready and knowing there’s always the chance you could be photographed.”
Even routine activities, like filling his car with gas and paying at the register, used to trigger intense anxiety. “I can feel it now—it was this horrible anxiety where I’d be sweating in the car, thinking, ‘I don’t want to do this,’” he recalled.
To help manage his anxiety, Payne makes it a habit to go for an early morning run every day. “I love it. It gets me outside and into the day, helping me push past the ‘what ifs’ and fears,” he said.
Liam Payne's Battle with Suicidal Thoughts
In a 2019 interview with Sky News’ Ant Middleton, Payne disclosed that he had struggled with suicidal thoughts during his career. Research shows that addiction can heighten the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
“There were certain moments when I was lucky to still be here, something I’ve never really shared before,” he said.
Payne spoke about the feelings of “loneliness” and constant “pressure” from others. “Sometimes you find yourself thinking, ‘When will this end?’ That nearly took my life a couple of times,” he admitted, adding that he had contemplated suicide.
During a 2021 episode of “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, Payne revisited this struggle, describing his thoughts as “really severe” and a significant issue during his time in One Direction.
He emphasized the importance of leaning on friends for support and reflecting on why he felt the way he did. “When everything starts piling up, that’s when it really gets to you. You have to shift your mindset. The only thing you can control in that situation is yourself,” Payne said.
This story discusses drug and alcohol addiction and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text +1(877)978-6747 or visit one of our Inpatient Rehab Centers in Clarksville Indiana for a more comprehensive support.
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