Local law enforcement found Liam Payne, former member of the band One Direction, dead in his hotel’s courtyard in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday. He was 31 years old. Payne was visiting South America to attend his former band-mate Niall Horan’s concert.
The police statement to the Associated Press said Payne had “jumped from the balcony of his room.” Shortly before his death, a hotel employee called the emergency line to ask for help for Payne.
When the police arrived, Payne was already dead. They found evidence of alcohol, traces of white powder and drug paraphernalia in the star’s hotel room.
Fans across the world are shocked by the beloved singer’s death. We asked Stella Brian, junior music industry major, what she thought of Payne’s death.
“I think it’s really shocking because, one, he’s young, but two, he made such a profound impact on so many people’s lives,” Brian said. “Like, as silly as it sounds, musicians and boy bands specifically, have a lot of influence over teenage girls and young girls, and so they looked up to these people, and now that they’re not here, it’s kind of crazy because he’s only 11 years older than me.”
Vivian Leuthold, a freshman studying political science, also acknowledged the impact of Payne’s death on her generation.
“I think he’s an artist that many people grew up with, and we kind of did see him go down a negative track through the past few years. So I think it’s just more impactful to our generation than most,” Leuthold said.
Lisette Nevarez, a junior legal studies major, says she will remember him fondly.
“I will remember him from all the funny selfies that are existing of him making funny faces,” Nevarez said.
The other members of One Direction released a statement that read, in part, “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.”