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The world is mourning the loss of Liam Payne after he passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. He was just 31 years old.
According to the Associated Press, local officials in Buenos Aires said the former One Direction singer was found dead on Wednesday (October 16) after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel and sustaining "extremely serious injuries," with medics confirming on the scene that he had passed away. Local authorities revealed his cause of death to be from the extensive injuries, including a cranial fracture, though an autopsy to officially confirm had yet to be completed. A preliminary report showed that he died from multiple injuries causing "internal and external hemorrhage."
Pablo Policicchio, spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said police had already been called to the hotel for reports of an "aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol." As they arrived on scene, they heard a thump and saw Payne in the hotel courtyard."
Following news of his passing, tributes to the singer began pouring out on social media, including from Halsey, Charlie Puth, Harry Styles' mom, Paris Hilton, who sent her condolences and wrote "RIP my friend," and Ed Sheeran, who said he was "at a loss for words." Payne's family also shared a "heartbreaking" statement mourning the loss of "his kind, funny and brave soul."
One commenter on X (formerly Twitter) said they were "actually speechless" at the news, writing, "i feel like most of us are so shocked over liam payne's death cause that man once was part of something our 13 year old selfs could never imagine living without."
Another X user wrote, "Liam Payne used to be a big part of my childhood. I'm genuinely shocked.. I honestly don't know what to say, I can't believe this"
One Direction released a joint statement from Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik on Thursday (October 17) breaking their silence on the sudden death of their "brother," while Payne's fellow bandmates have shared their own touching dedications.
Tomlinson shared a lengthy message mourning a brother and best friend, ZAYN shared an emotional letter to the late singer, Styles said his "heart breaks" with the loss of his "lovely friend," and Horan said "it just doesn't feel real" that his "amazing friend" is gone. Earlier this month, Payne was even seen attending Horan's concert in Argentina, dancing along and chatting with concertgoers.
Payne was survived by his 7-year-old son Bear as well as his parents, Karen and Geoff, and his sisters Nicola and Ruth.
Keep reading to see fans and fellow artists' tributes to the late musician.