By: Derya Nur Arslan
The music world is devastated with the loss of Liam Payne, former One Direction member, and many girls’ childhood crush. On Wednesday, October 16th, at the age of 31, Payne fell from the third floor of hotel Casa Sur in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was not only a talented artist, but also a father, a friend, and a son who had been struggling with addiction, mental health problems, and the pressure of fame.
According to his autopsy report, Payne died of multiple injuries and internal and external bleeding. The authorities found multiple drugs, including “pink cocaine” which includes dangerous substances, such as meth and ketamine in his system. Additionally, Argentina police found various drugs and alcohol in his hotel room, showing that his addiction is one of the biggest suspicions for the artist’s death.
According to the Argentina police, minutes before Payne’s death, the workers of the Hotel Casa Sur called 911 because they heard him yelling and screaming from his room. It was reported by the hotel’s manager that he had even broken furniture prior to the incident.
Payne never hid his mental health problems, and openly talked about them through his interviews. On “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, Payne talked about the isolating feelings he felt after gaining fame from “The X-Factor.” He started experiencing suicidal thoughts and resorted to drugs at a young age to cope. Payne claimed he knew he should stop using drugs or it would kill him.
Additionally, he mentioned how he was good at hiding his bad mental states. Payne stated on the same podcast in 2021, “there is some stuff that I have definitely never, never spoken about. It was really, really, really severe. And it was a problem. And it was only until I saw myself after that, I was like, ‘Right, I need to fix myself.’” In July 2023, he announced on his Youtube channel that he was six months sober.
Before the incident, hotel employees mentioned to the authorities that they were afraid he might harm himself. They claimed that Liam jumped and wasn’t pushed. Investigators confirm this due to the position of his body, indicating that he was on substances at the time.
Payne’s family, friends, and fans are still in shock and mourn the talented artist. The day following his death, his family published a statement to BCC saying, “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.” Each One Direction member posted touching posts about their dear friend. Zayn Malik, former One Direction member, postponed his upcoming tour due to the loss of his friend. Another former member, Louis Tomlinson, said he will tell how Payne was an amazing person to his son Bear Grey when he grows up. Cheryl Cole, the mother of Payne’s son, posted on social media to express her sadness with a picture of him and their son in their bed.
Many people have known Payne since he was 16. Some of his fans grew up with him and this made the grief even harder for them. To honor him, fans began a petition called “Liam’s Law” requiring artists to access mental health professionals and receive regular mental checks. So far the petition has surpassed one hundred thousand signatures.
Liam Payne’s tragic death has shown us the importance of addiction and mental health. This gives us the opportunity to seek the help we need without hesitation before it’s too late. Liam Payne, a son whose family loved him, a friend whose friends cared about him, and a singer who had millions of fans, died alone. It is never too late to ask for help. Even though he is no longer with us, Liam became the voice for the people who need assistance. His memory inspires us to support those who may be suffering in silence.