Liam Payne death sparks investigation as tributes pour in - latest updates

Liam Payne, the former member of One Direction, has passed away at the age of 31.

Join Roisin O’Connor's Free Music Newsletter!

Subscribe To Our Free Now Hear This Email!

Subscribe To Our Free Now Hear This Email!

I’d love to receive emails about promotions, events, and news from The Independent. Check out our privacy policy for more information.

Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, has tragically passed away at the age of 31 after a fall from a hotel balcony in the Palermo area of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Authorities have announced that they will perform an autopsy and look into the details surrounding the singer’s passing.

Devastated fans have been coming together outside the hotel to pay their respects to the singer. They’ve been lighting candles, singing One Direction songs, and observing moments of silence.

Several celebrities, such as Liam Gallagher, X Factor host Dermot O’Leary, and TV presenter and former contestant Rylan, have expressed their condolences. Anne Twist, the mother of Payne’s former bandmate Harry Styles, shared her thoughts on Instagram, writing: “Just a boy.”

Payne became well-known after participating in the fifth season of The X Factor in 2010, where he was grouped with Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik to form the band One Direction.

They evolved into one of the most successful boy bands globally, achieving sales of 70 million records and entertaining fans in stadiums across the globe.

Payne welcomed a son in 2017 with his ex-partner, Cheryl Tweedy, who is known for being a member of the girl group Girls Aloud.

VIDEO: Police Respond To Liam Payne's Death In Buenos Aires Hotel

Roisin O'Connor, 17th October 2024, 07:55 AM

Liam Payne: One Direction Star Battles Fame's Dark Side

Payne, who hails from Wolverhampton, England, found inspiration in artists like Usher and Justin Timberlake. He fondly recalls his childhood, describing it as joyful, with his father, Geoff, employed as a fitter and his mother, Karen, working as a nursery nurse.

"It was wonderful, even if we didn't have a lot," he shared with The Telegraph during a 2017 interview. "My father was struggling with debt, but they really tried their hardest. It kind of sparks your imagination, doesn't it?"

Convinced that pursuing a career in music would be what made his parents the happiest, he auditioned for the reality show The X Factor in 2008. However, judge and creator Simon Cowell advised him to return in two years.

When he came back in 2010, he was assigned to the band One Direction, joining other competitors Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson.

“In the beginning, we were all caught up in our own egos,” he shared with The Guardian in a 2019 interview. “Everyone was focused on their individual interests – it felt like being surrounded by four older brothers.” He noted that he considered himself “somewhat more mature” than the other members of the band, attributing this to his determination and drive to succeed in the entertainment industry.

After finishing in third place in the competition, One Direction signed with Simon Cowell's record label, Syco Entertainment. Their first single, "What Makes You Beautiful," became a global hit when it came out in September 2011, topping the charts in the UK.

This sparked a whirlwind of excitement among fans and the media, reminiscent of the frenzy surrounding the Beatles. One Direction, often known as "1D," sold over 70 million records globally and is now regarded as one of the most successful boybands in the history of music. They launched five albums, starting with their first release, Up All Night, in 2011, and garnered numerous accolades, including seven Brit Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards.

Roisin O'Connor, on October 17, 2024, at 7:45 AM.

Dermot O’Leary Honors Liam Payne On The X Factor

TV host Dermot O'Leary reminisced about Liam Payne's audition for The X Factor when he was just 14 years old. He expressed his condolences and honored the singer after his passing.

O'Leary, who was the host of The X Factor when Payne made his appearances, posted a picture of them together on stage with the caption: "The saddest news."

"I recall him as a 14-year-old who arrived for his audition on The X Factor and amazed us with his rendition of a Sinatra song. He was truly passionate about singing," he noted.

"He was a true delight to be around, always made time for others, showed great kindness, expressed gratitude, and remained down-to-earth."

Roisin O'Connor, October 17, 2024, 7:35 AM.

Liam Payne's Legal Battle With Ex-Girlfriend

Liam Payne and his former partner, Maya Henry, were in the midst of a legal dispute at the time of his passing on Wednesday night. The couple had parted ways in 2022. According to The Daily Mail, Henry, who is 23 years old, had filed a cease and desist order against Payne just earlier this week, claiming that he had been persistently reaching out to her and her family.

"Maya Henry sent a cease and desist notice to Liam Payne last week after learning some troubling new details," her legal team shared with the Mail. "She has hired attorneys Marco Crawford and Daniel Cerna to handle her case. For now, this is all she has to say about the situation."

Earlier this month, Henry expressed her worries in a TikTok video.

"Since we split, he keeps messaging me and bombards my phone with calls. It's not just from his number; he uses various different numbers, so I can never predict when or how he'll reach out," Henry mentioned in the video.

Katie Hawkinson, October 17, 2024, 7:00 AM

Fans Pay Tribute To Liam Payne Outside Hotel

Katie Hawkinson, October 17, 2024, at 6:00 AM

Where Was Liam Payne When He Passed Away?

Liam Payne was discovered deceased in a hotel courtyard on Wednesday evening. The hotel is situated on Costa Rica Street in the Palermo area of Buenos Aires, according to local officials.

Earlier this month, Payne allegedly posted on Snapchat that he was heading to Argentina, partly to watch his ex-bandmate Niall Horan perform. "It's been a while since Niall and I last had a chat," he mentioned. "We have quite a bit to discuss, and I’d like to clear up a few matters with him. There are no hard feelings or anything; we just need to have a conversation."

Sure! Please provide the specific section from the blog that you would like me to rewrite, and I'll be happy to help.

Photos: Police Probe Liam Payne's Death Scene

Here’s a rephrased version: Katie Hawkinson, October 17, 2024, at 4:31 AM.

Liam Payne's Shocking Death In Buenos Aires Hotel

Sure! However, I need to know the specific section you want me to rewrite. Please provide the text you'd like altered, and I'll take care of it!

Harry Styles' Mom Shares Her Thoughts

Anne Twist, who is the mom of Harry Styles from One Direction, shared a broken-heart emoji on Instagram shortly after the news of Liam Payne's passing was revealed.

"Simply a boy," Twist penned.

Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the blog section with different wording: "Katie Hawkinson, on October 17, 2024, at 3:45 AM."

MTV Pays Tribute To Liam Payne

Katie Hawkinson, October 17, 2024, at 3:30 AM