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Tributes are pouring in for former One Direction band member Liam Payne, who passed away Wednesday, October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne was 31. Among them are celebrities, music stars, and the relatives of his One Direction band members, like Harry Styles’ mother Anne.
On Instagram, Anne Twist shared a photo of a broken heart emoji with a caption that read “Just a boy…”
Payne passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in the neighborhood of Palermo, in Buenos Aires. Authorities in Argentina have said they will perform an autopsy and investigate the causes of his death. Reports indicate Payne had an altercation in the lobby of the Casa Sur Hotel earlier in the day, and hotel manager called 911 over concerns about the singer’s behavior.
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“At 5:04 p.m., through 911 and the integrated public security system, we were alerted about a person in the internal courtyard of the CasaSur hotel,” SAME (Emergency Medical Assistance System) director Alberto Crescenti said in a TV interview via La Nacion.
He added that when a nearby SAME team arrived on the scene, they were unable to help. “Unfortunately, he had injuries incompatible with life due to the fall, so we had to confirm the death. There was no possibility of resuscitation.”
None of his former One Direction bandmates have yet commented on Payne’s tragic passing.
Payne’s family released a statement about the singer’s death, saying: “We are heartbroken. 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.“
Alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, Payne was part of the band One Direction from the time they were placed in the bad together during Season 5 of The X Factor, until 2016 when the band went on hiatus. One Direction went on to become one of the world’s most successful boybands, selling 70 million albums and performing all over the world.
Twist’s Instagram post was flooded with heartfelt comments from fans that ranged from “Sending my condolences. I can’t imagine what Harry is going through. Losing a brother. Please take care of him,” with a broken heart emoji to “Just a boy. Heartbroken for Liam’s deep suffering and for all who loved him. Addiction is a treacherous illness. Please hug Harry and the boys for all of us. Tenderness and love.”
“I am devastated, sad, desolate …Lots of love to all those who loved him, to his family and his son, friends and to the boys,” another fan said, summoning up the general feeling from the public regarding the shocking news of Payne’s passing.
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