Liam Payne's family releases statement as more details, autopsy results emerge in singer's death

(NEXSTAR) – The family of former One Direction member Liam Payne has issued a statement after his death at 31.

“We are heartbroken,” Payne’s family said via a spokesperson. “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.”

Payne fell from the third story of the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

Reuters, citing the local outlet La Nacion, reported that police had been called to the hotel before Payne’s death after receiving a report concerning an “aggressive man” believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A hotel manager can be heard on a 911 call recording obtained by The Associated Press saying the hotel has “a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol. … He’s destroying the entire room and, well, we need you to send someone, please.” The manager’s voice becomes more anxious as the call goes on, noting the room has a balcony.

Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said the responding police officers heard a thud and found Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard.

According to Policicchio, Payne had “thrown himself from the balcony of his room.” Local police did not say whether they believed the fall was intentional.

Authorities said Payne did suffer “very serious injuries” in the fall and “there was no possibility of resuscitation.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Buenos Aires police also said they found Payne’s hotel room “in complete disarray” with packs of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, as well as energy supplements and other over-the-counter drugs strewn about and “various items broken.” They added that a whiskey bottle, lighter and cellphone were retrieved from the internal courtyard where Payne’s body was found.

Prosecutors said they were treating the case as a “suspicious death,” given that evidence collected from the scene indicated Payne “was going through some kind of substance abuse outbreak” at the time of his fall. It said all reports pointed to Payne being alone at the time of the incident.

Medical examiners said the autopsy results showed 25 injuries to various parts of Payne’s body, including his skull, limbs and abdomen. The lack of defensive injuries on Payne’s hands indicated that “he did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and that he could have fallen into a state of semi- or total unconsciousness,” according to the public prosecutor.

Horan, Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson came to fame in 2010 as part of the hitmaking group One Direction, which was formed on the reality TV series “The X Factor.” They are known for songs like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life.”

The group disbanded in 2016, with members embarking on solo careers.

Payne’s solo hits included the platinum-selling “Strip That Down” with Quavo and the gold “Get Low” with Zedd. In March, he released a new song, “Teardrops,” which marked his first new release since 2021.

Fans and fellow artists reacted to news of Payne’s death on social media, including those who worked directly with Payne.

“RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking,” Zedd wrote on X.

“I am in shock right now,” Charlie Puth, who wrote a song for Payne’s solo debut album, said on Instagram. “Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone.”

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who performed with One Direction in 2014, said he was “shocked and saddened.”

As of Thursday morning, none of Payne’s former bandmates have released public statements regarding his death.

Payne shares a son, 7-year-old Bear Grey Payne, with former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole. He had been dating influencer Kate Cassidy since 2022.

He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola. Representatives for Payne did not immediately return emails and calls.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.