The details around Liam Payne’s death are pending investigation findings from authorities in Argentina, but here’s what we do know about his final weeks.
The 31-year-old English singer, who rose to stardom with One Direction before the group split in 2016, flew to Buenos Aires in late September. He was accompanied by his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, for a portion of the trip. He also reunited with his former bandmate Niall Horan, who was performing at the Movistar Arena on Oct. 2 and 4.
Prosecutors believe Payne was alone when he fell from his room on the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel room, according to a press release. He died from “multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.”
Sept. 30: Payne arrived in Argentina’s capital with Cassidy, according to a TikTok travel vlog. Cassidy, linked to Payne since 2022, documents nearly daily adventures of them getting ready, eating out, shopping and riding horses.
Oct. 2: The “Teardrops” singer attended Horan’s show, posting many Snapchats from the night. There were videos of him dancing with Cassidy in their luxury box and 1D fans going wild over him being there. There were also reunion photos with Horan. Payne said in clips that he was “feeling great” and also that he was “proud” of Horan.
Oct. 5: Payne and Cassidy saw a Paul McCartney concert, according to Cassidy’s TikTok. The former Beatle performed two shows at the Estadio Monumental de River Plate on Oct. 5 and 6, and Cassidy shared a video of her getting glam for a concert on the first night of his run.
Oct. 6: Payne’s ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, posted a TikTok video addressing backlash she’s received from 1D fans for speaking publicly about her ex. The model claimed Payne had been obsessively trying to contact her since their 2022 breakup. She alleged that he called from different numbers and created new iCloud accounts to message her. She also said the fiction book she released earlier this year, Looking Forward, was based on Payne’s alleged abusive behavior.
Oct. 12: Cassidy left Buenos Aires, she shared in a TikTok video that showed the date of her airline ticket. She arrived in Miami the next morning. Cassidy said she “was so ready to leave” South America, explaining that the trip was only supposed to last five days and was extended to two weeks. She said she was “so happy to be home.” Cassidy posted two more TikToks during that time frame but has not yet spoken out further on social media.
Oct. 13 or 14: Payne moved to CasaSur PalermoHotel, per the hotel manager’s later 911 calls.
Oct. 14: Henry’s hourlong podcast interview on The Internet Is Dead was published. She further detailed alleged abuse and manipulation by Payne. She claimed he messaged her all the time and would apologize for what he put her through. She claimed he would tell her he was “not doing well” and was “going to die.” She expressed concern that “something bad is going to happen” to him due to his “lifestyle.”
Later that day, the Sun reported Henry was suing Payne. A spokesperson for Henry told the tabloid that she “retained attorneys” and “issued a cease and desist last week to Liam Payne following the emergence of new and concerning information.”
Oct. 16: The hotel manager placed two 911 calls reporting that Payne, who he claimed was under the influence of “drugs and alcohol,” was “trashing [his] entire room.” The employee expressed urgency, saying that Payne’s “life may be in danger” and he specifically noted that the star was “in a room with a balcony and, well, we’re a little afraid…”
Minutes later, at 5:07 p.m., Payne fell to the ground from the balcony in his room, according to a statement from National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 16 in Argentina. He “died on the spot due to the severity of his injuries.”
The Buenos Aires police said they found Payne’s hotel room “in complete disarray” — with over-the-counter medications, energy packs and anxiety drug Clonazepam seized — and “various items broken.” They said a whiskey bottle, lighter and cellphone were retrieved from the internal courtyard where Payne’s body was found, but testing had to be done linking them to the performer.
Prosecutors also said in their statement that Payne was likely alone when he fell. It was noted that testimonials were taken from “two women who, in the hours prior, had been with the musician in his room, but had already left the hotel when the incident occurred.”
After Payne’s death, Snapchat videos of his trip were posted to his account, scheduled by the star or posted by his team.
Payne — who is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole — had been candid about suffering from alcoholism. He posted a YouTube video in July 2023 talking about completing a three-month stint in rehab and being six months sober.
On Thursday, his former group — Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik — released a joint statement reacting to the news of Payne’s death.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they said. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
His family released a statement on Thursday, saying, “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
