New details surrounding Liam Payne’s shocking death at 31 have come to light via a newly released 911 call transcript and more.
Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, October 16, that Payne fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. While a full cause of death has yet to be shared, the singer suffered a cranial fracture and other serious injuries in the incident. (Payne is survived by his parents, his two older sisters and his 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shared with ex Cheryl Cole.)
Ahead of his death, Payne had been visiting Buenos Aires with girlfriend of two years Kate Cassidy. They even attended his One Direction bandmate Niall Horan’s solo concert earlier this month. Cassidy left town days before Payne’s death, per social media footage.
Payne was staying at the CasaSur Palermo on Wednesday, where a hotel employee contacted local authorities about the alleged incident preceding his death.
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Keep scrolling for a timeline of Payne’s final moments, including details from 911 calls:
Hotel Room Incidents
According to a translated transcript of a 911 call obtained by the BBC, the hotel’s chief receptionist claimed that a guest had taken “too many drugs and alcohol.”
“So, we have a guest who is high on drugs and who is trashing the room,” the caller claimed. “So, we need someone to come.”
The line cut out before the caller dialed the emergency hotline again, warning that the guest “may be in danger” since the hotel room had a balcony. In the second call, the receptionist warned that the guest was “trashing the entire room” whenever he was “conscious.”
Footage circulating on social media revealed that a TV in the room had been smashed and various drugs were seen on a table.
Payne previously revealed in 2023 that he was 100 days sober after completing a rehab stay. It is not known whether the Brit Award winner maintained his sobriety at the time of his death.
Sending Help
During the 911 call, the hotel employee requested backup on-site.
“I don’t know whether his life may be in danger, the guest’s life,” the transcript reads. “He is in a room with a balcony and well, we’re a little afraid that he … He’s been here for two or three days.”
The Incident
Payne fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel before local paramedics arrived on the scene to provide aid. Us Weekly later confirmed that Payne’s death was the subject of an ongoing investigation.
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Emergency Response
Payne’s injuries were too severe for treatment by the time medical professionals arrived on the scene, according to Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti.
“Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life,” Crescenti said in a statement, per local Buenos Aires outlet La Nacion. “Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death.”
Crescenti added, “The team could do absolutely nothing. There was no resuscitation because it was confirmed that he had died. The whole body had very serious injuries.”
Payne was pronounced dead on the scene and police sources later confirmed to Us that it is “not known whether [Payne] jumped or was pushed. “ A preliminary autopsy report revealed that Payne died from “multiple injuries involving ‘internal and external hemorrhage.’” According to the report, the musician was believed to be in a “state of semi or total unconsciousness” at the time of the fall.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
