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One Direction fans heartbroken over band member’s death

todayOctober 17, 2024 32

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Tributes continue to pour in for former One Direction singer, Liam Payne, who died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 31-year-old is said to have been acting erratic in the hotel lobby, prior to the fall, where he smashed his laptop and had to be carried back to his room.

Authorities say they responded to a call from the hotel about an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol.

Pictures of his hotel room have also been circulated on social media.

Buenos Aires police say they found alcohol and medicines like clonazepam in the room.

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine used to control epilepsy, involuntary muscle spasms or panic disorders.

Fingerprints and other evidence from Payne’s room have also been taken for forensic analysis.

Fans began gathering outside the hotel soon after the news of his passing broke.

Some have lit candles in his memory, while others sang one of the most popular One Direction songs “The Story of My Life”.

Payne rose to fame as part of the much-loved boyband created on the 2010 X Factor TV show along with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.

Former Pussycat Dolls member, Nicole Scherzinger, who was a guest judge on the show, was behind the formation of the band.

The much-loved boyband then quickly became a firm favourite for fans around the world.

After the band decided to go on an indefinite break in 2016, Payne pursued a solo career.

He sold over 18 million singles, 2.4 million albums, and amassed 3.9 billion streams in the first three years of his solo career.

He is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with ex-girlfriend, Cheryl Cole.

Payne revealed in June 2021 that he struggled with alcohol and prescription drug addictions, saying he had severe suicidal thoughts during that time.

Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, the 31-year-old also admitted his struggles with fame and mental health.

There has also been reports that Payne was embroiled in a domestic scandal related to his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, before his untimely death.

Henry reportedly slapped the former One Direction singer a cease-and-desist order last week, accusing him of harassment for allegedly repeatedly contacting her.

He posted one of the last videos on Snapchat, with his girlfriend, in Argentina.

His former band members, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, paid tribute to Payne on social media.

Fans are paying tribute to the life and times of the singer.

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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