Police in Argentina are investigating the death of singer and former One Direction band member Liam Payne, who died following a balcony fall.
A preliminary autopsy showed the 31-year-old singer suffered "internal and external bleeding" and "died from the fall" a police source told AFP.
Reuters reports that police found the star's room in "total disorder" in a search after his death with various things broken and medications scattered around.
In a statement, the police said they had found a bottle of whiskey, a lighter and a cell phone in the atrium of the hotel where Payne had fallen. They said they had taken fingerprints from those.
Police were called to the Casa Sur Hotel yesterday evening after concerns were raised about the behaviour of a hotel guest.
In audio obtained from the Buenos Aires Security Ministry by Reuters a hotel worker can be heard telling the police during a 911 call that there was "a guest who is intoxicated by drugs and alcohol" and that he was "breaking the whole room".
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Local police said the singer fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina's capital before medics confirmed his death.
Pictures showed shocked fans gathering outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area with forensic investigators seen entering and exiting in white protective suits and blue gloves.
They were photographed lighting candles and adorning the side of the road with flowers as they paid tribute to the beloved music star who shot to fame after being discovered on X Factor.
Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend a Niall Horan concert and was seen dancing at his former bandmate's show at the Movistar Arena two weeks ago alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
One Direction became a global sensation after forming on The X Factor in 2010 featuring Payne and Horan alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles. Their albums and tours shattered records with hits like What Makes You Beautiful and Story of My Life propelling them to superstardom. The band sold over 70 million records worldwide and won numerous awards while cultivating one of the most passionate fanbases in music history.
Before joining One Direction, Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at just 14 years old. Although he didn't make it through that time, head judge Simon Cowell encouraged him to return, which he did two years later when One Direction was formed.
After One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Payne launched a solo career. He released his debut solo single, Strip That Down in 2017, which became a hit worldwide.
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In addition to singing, Payne was also a talented songwriter. He co-wrote several songs for One Direction and his solo projects, collaborating with other major artists and producers including Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth and Ryan Tedder.
Payne was involved with various charities, including UNICEF, Comic Relief and Trekstock, a charity helping young people with cancer. He was open about his own mental health struggles, particularly at the height of One Direction's fame. On several occasions, he discussed dealing with anxiety and depression and used his platform to raise awareness for mental health issues.
In August last year, Payne postponed his scheduled tour of South America after suffering from a "serious kidney infection".
He said the infection was something "I wouldn't wish on anyone" and he had been instructed by doctors to "rest and recover".
Later last year he was banned from driving in the UK after admitting a speeding offence.
The singer was reportedly travelling at 43mph in a 30mph zone and was banned from driving for six months, as well as paying a fine, in October 2023.
In August, Payne was announced as a judge on a new Netflix show, Building the Band, alongside former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland and The Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger.
The stars were to judge attempts to create a band, looking at the contestants’ chemistry as they formed groupings in the musical competition series.
Payne was born on 29 August 1993, in Wolverhampton. He is survived by his seven-year-old son, Bear, who he shares with his ex-partner, Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.
