Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, tragically died on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. New evidence, including security footage and police reports, suggests Payne was attempting to escape his hotel room via the balcony when the fatal incident occurred. His death, attributed to a cranial fracture and internal bleeding, has raised questions about the circumstances leading up to the fall and the role of those around him.
Surveillance footage shows hotel staff carrying a visibly impaired Payne back to his room after he caused a disturbance in the lobby. According to a police report obtained by TMZ, Payne resisted being placed in the room, and staff used a master key to lock him inside. They also removed a mirror outside his door, allegedly to prevent further damage to hotel property.
Shortly after, a hotel employee called emergency services, expressing concern about Payne's safety. "He is in a room with a balcony, and, well, we're a little afraid," said the caller, identified only as Esteban. The 911 dispatcher was told Payne appeared to be "high and drunk" and posed a danger to himself. Despite these warnings, Payne was left alone in the room.
Minutes later, Payne fell to his death. His body was discovered with a bag strapped to his shoulder-an item he did not have when he was carried to the room. Investigators believe Payne may have been attempting to climb down to the second-floor balcony below. A brown leather bag was later found on that balcony containing a note addressed to Payne, pills, and a bottle of Jack Daniel's, further supporting the escape theory.
Payne's history of using balconies as escape routes adds context to the incident. Sources told TMZ that in September, his bodyguard locked him inside a Florida rental after concerns of drug abuse. Payne reportedly climbed down from the balcony using a garden hose to evade confinement.
The coroner's toxicology report revealed Payne had multiple drugs in his system, including cocaine, crack, and pink cocaine. His struggles with substance abuse have been well-documented, and close friends have shared concerns about his well-being in recent months.
Argentinian authorities have charged three individuals in connection with Payne's death. A drug dealer and a former hotel employee, Braian Nahuel Paiz, have been accused of supplying Payne with narcotics. Rogelio "Roger" Nores, a friend of Payne's, faces charges of negligence for failing to respond to staff warnings and not informing Payne's family of his apparent relapse. Both Paiz and Nores deny the allegations.
The hotel has come under scrutiny for its handling of the situation. A source familiar with the investigation claimed, "It appears the hotel prioritized property damage and disruption in the lobby over Liam's safety." The CasaSur Palermo Hotel has declined to comment.
Payne's death has sent shockwaves through his fan base and the music industry. His former bandmates-Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson-joined family and friends at a private funeral in England. Payne was remembered as a talented performer and loving father to his six-year-old son, Bear.
