According to police reports, security footage, and witnesses, Liam Payne, a former star of One Direction, sadly fell to his death in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while allegedly trying to flee his hotel room.
The incident has raised serious questions about the hotel’s handling of the situation, with some alleging negligence.
Payne, known for his discomfort with being confined in hotel rooms, had a history of using unconventional methods to escape such settings. Sources close to the situation revealed that in mid-September, Payne reportedly used a garden hose to descend from a balcony after being confined in a Florida rental home during a suspected drug binge.
Surveillance footage from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel on the night of his death shows Payne visibly under the influence and disruptive in the lobby. Hotel staff carried him to his third-floor room, using a master key to unlock the door and forcibly escort him inside. According to a police report obtained by TMZ, Payne resisted, making it clear he did not want to remain in the room.
A hotel employee later called emergency services, expressing concern that Payne might try to escape via the balcony and inadvertently harm himself. The employee reportedly told 911, “He is in a room with a balcony, and, well, we’re a little afraid.” Despite these fears, Payne was left alone in the room.
Minutes later, Payne fell to his death. Surveillance footage and items recovered from the scene suggest he was attempting to descend to a second-floor balcony. Police found a bag strapped across his shoulder, which was not on him earlier in the lobby, indicating he had prepared for his escape attempt. Additionally, a leather bag containing pills, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and a note reading “for Liam” was discovered on the second-floor balcony below his room, supporting the theory that he had dropped it there before attempting to descend himself.
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The coroner’s report noted that Payne may have been unconscious at the time of the fall, but he was evidently alert when he secured his belongings and walked to the balcony.
In the aftermath, questions have arisen about the hotel’s role in the tragedy. A source close to the investigation suggested that local authorities may be shielding the hotel from scrutiny, instead focusing on three individuals—a friend, a waiter, and a former hotel employee—alleged to have supplied Payne with drugs. Critics argue that the hotel prioritized minimizing disruption in the lobby and safeguarding its property over ensuring Payne’s safety.
