Editor’s note: This article contains mentions of suicide and substance abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, please visit findahelpline.com or SAMHSA.gov to connect with resources in your country.

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, One Direction star Liam Payne fell to his death from a third-story Argentinean hotel balcony. The news of his death took the world by storm. He was only 31 years old.

Liam Payne became a global sensation after appearing on X-Factor and forming the boy band One Direction. The group became a global success, becoming teen idols overnight. By 2016, however, the group took a hiatus to focus on individual projects but never fully got back together. Liam went on to work on solo projects, continuing his passion for music. Unfortunately, poor mental health came with a busy career and personal troubles lay ahead, leading to his untimely death in 2024.

Liam Payne's Cause Of Death Was Revealed To The Public

According to AP News, while Liam was vacationing in Argentina and staying at Casa Sur Hotel, hotel staff called the police with complaints of an irate man. Guests and hotel staff claimed Liam was “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol."

The phone call from the hotel staff to the police explaining Liam's behavior was released by People. The hotel's manager explained, "We have a guest drunk with drugs and alcohol. When he is conscious he is breaking everything in the room. We need you to send someone please."

The phone call became chilling when the manager explained the urgency of the situation. "We need to send someone with urgency because I don't know if the guest's life is in danger because he is in a room with a balcony, and we are afraid he could do something that threatens life."

Before his passing, Liam had an estimated net worth of $70 million.

Before the police appeared, Liam fell from the balcony. A spokesperson for the Argentine officials explained the cause of death to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office No. 16. (via E! News). He passed away due to internal and external hemorrhages and "multiple" distressing injuries.

The report continued, “The head injuries were sufficient to cause death, while the internal and external hemorrhages in the skull, thorax, abdomen, and limbs contributed to the mechanism of death.” As of this article's publishing, a toxicology report is still pending to confirm the use of drugs and alcohol.

Here's How The Members Of One Direction Responded

The news of Liam Payne's death shocked the world, including One Direction's major fanbase. Because of their group's separation, many were waiting for public reactions to his death.

After some time to process the news, One Direction's members slowly released personal statements regarding the loss of their dear friend and bandmate.

One Direction's Instagram Page

Although each member of One Direction eventually came out and shared their memories and condolences to Liam's family, the group also released a collective statement on their Instagram page.

We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. 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," the post continued, "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."

Niall Horan

Niall Horan was one of the last bandmates to see Liam before his tragic passing. According to Sky News, Liam was in Argentina to see one of Niall's shows.

“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam,” Niall wrote on social media. “It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”

The post continued, "All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime. I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking. My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and, of course, his son Bear.”

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik was the first member of the group to step away from his mental health and personal projects. Thanks to his Instagram post, however, it was clear no love was lost with Liam.

"Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me. I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives," the singer wrote.

"I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved."

Zayn finished his touching post by saying a final goodbye.

I can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.

Harry Styles

Pop sensation Harry Styles went on to have an incredible career after One Direction. Despite all of his success, he still cherished his time with Liam.

"I am truly devastated by Liam's passing," the singer wrote. "His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it. Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend."

Harry then went on to give his thoughts and prayers to Liam's family.

Louis Tomlinson

Louis Tomlinson wrote an incredibly emotional tribute to his dear friend Liam after hearing about his passing.

"I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul," the former bandmate wrote. "I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I'd longed all my life for."

Louis went on to praise the kind of man Liam was, and complimented his contributions to One Direction. "And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us, Liam."

Now that all members of One Direction shared their precious memories with Liam, more moments together are bound to be shared to remember him in a positive light.

Important X-Factor Members Have Taken Time Away To Grieve

The X-Factor was an incredibly important series for Liam Payne. At just 14 years old, Liam auditioned for X-Factor in front of some of music's most powerful judges. While he had immense talent, Simon Cowell eventually cut him but told him to come back and try out in two years.

In 2010, Liam did as he was told and came back two years later. This time, he was paired with his future bandmates as a group of five. Simon was an integral part of the creation of One Direction and of support for Liam.

After hearing about Liam's passing, Deadline reported that Simon paused production for his hit competition series Britain’s Got Talent. While Simon hasn't released a statement as of this article's publishing, production for the live series shared its halt. “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.” Because of Simon's mentorship, his emotional statement hit fans hard.

"You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens," the mogul started on Instagram. "Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you." Simon then spoke about the memories they shared after seeing each other just last year. More importantly, how much Liam loved being a dad.

Cheryl Cole was another former judge on X-Factor and Liam's former partner. The two dated for two years before breaking up in 2018. The former couple shared a son during their time together, Bear Payne. Because of the sensitivity around the subject of losing a parent, Cheryl took time to make a public statement.

“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” the singer shared online.

Her statement became a plea to the public to write sensitively because of their son. “Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

Cheryl concluded that her heart is "broken" for their son and all that he'll have to see when he's older. "Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last." While more and more celebrities and stars are coming out and sharing their memories with Liam, it's clear what a special person he was before succumbing to his death.

This is an active and ongoing investigation and situation.