Liam Payne, former member of the popular boy band One Direction, was found dead at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. Local authorities confirmed the tragic incident, stating that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo district, a trendy area in Argentina’s capital city. Emergency responders who arrived at the scene declared him dead due to “extremely serious injuries.”

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, revealed in a televised interview on Todo Noticias that Payne had fallen into the hotel’s courtyard. However, he declined to speculate on whether the fall was accidental or intentional, noting that authorities were still investigating the incident. An autopsy is underway to determine the exact circumstances of his death.

According to local reports, Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend a concert by his former bandmate, Niall Horan. Payne’s sudden passing has shocked fans worldwide, many of whom have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the singer.

Payne leaves behind his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, whom he shared with his former partner, Cheryl, a singer formerly known as Cheryl Cole during her time with the girl group Girls Aloud. He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his sisters, Ruth and Nicola.

Representatives for Payne have not yet commented on the tragedy.

Credit: AP