Singer Liam Payne, former member of iconic band One Direction, has died after a tragic fall off the third floor of a hotel in Palermo, Buenos Aires City.
The incident took place at the Casa Sur hotel, where Payne was staying on the third floor, and within hours, local media in Argentina were publishing images from the star's room.
According to police sources, who confirmed the veracity of the images, a chaotic environment was discovered by investigators: a destroyed TV, objects scattered on the floor and half-drunk glasses of champagne, offering a gloomy outlook of his last few hours.
Other elements were found – such as over-the-counter medication, a packet of soap, glasses, an as-yet unidentified white powder, aluminium foil and a scorched drink can lid – that indicate likely drug consumption.
The authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances which led to this tragic outcome, while Payne’s fans all over the world are mourning the sudden loss of the talented musician.
Emergency call
A worker from the Palermo hotel where Payne was staying was the first to contact the emergency services, asking the police to come to the site since a guest was “overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol” and was “trashing the room.”
“I’m calling from Casa Sur Palermo Hotel, Costa Rica 6032. We have a guest who’s overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol. When he’s conscious he just trashes the room and we need you to send someone, please,” the call began.
“We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if the guest’s life is at stake. He’s in a room with a balcony and we fear he may put his life at risk."
“He’s been staying with us for two or three days,” the person informed.
In a television interview with local media, Miguel, an employee at the boutique hotel in Palermo where Liam Payne died, shared disturbing details about the singer’s behaviour during his stay.
“He wasn’t a regular, but when he came it was quite problematic. He had several incidents and conflicts with cleaning staff," he alleged.
The employee also related an episode which happened on the morning of the incident, stating that Payne had asked for two bottles of whisky and sparkling wine or champagne at breakfast, around 9am in the morning.
The singer’s behaviour was increasingly controversial, added the staff member.
“He was alone, but he hung out with his partner who was staying up there, maybe one floor above him. It’s true that he had two guests in the afternoon, two girls who came up and when they came down they stayed at the hotel lobby, because he didn’t have money to pay for the services they provided."
Miguel also recalled the moment of the tragedy. “The restaurant has a sort of courtyard which would be the bar, the restaurant, Sacro. That courtyard he fell off can be seen from within the hotel. They just reported a thud and everyone went over to look."
– TIMES/PERFIL
