Argentinian media also obtained images of the inside of Payne’s hotel room, which reflect the damage referred to in the emergency call. They show a smashed television and various drug paraphernalia scattered across the floor.
Payne died after falling from the third floor of Buenos Aires’ Casa Sur Hotel, around 5pm local time on Wednesday (7am Thursday, AEDT).
Simon Cowell, a former judge on British talent show The X Factor who helped form One Direction in 2010, reportedly postponed audition tapings for Britain’s Got Talent after hearing news of Payne’s death.
ApplauseStore, which manages tickets for the talent show, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the auditions, which were set to take place in Blackpool on Thursday (UK time), had been postponed due to “the tragic passing of Liam Payne”.
Payne’s family issued a statement to the media overnight, noting his “kind, funny, and brave soul”.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts,” they said, in a statement published by the BBC. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Styles’ mother, Anne Twist – who knew Payne since he joined the boy band alongside Styles on The X Factor in 2010 – posted a photo of a broken heart emoji to her Instagram, writing “just a boy” in the caption.
The X Factor UK, which was cancelled in 2018, posted a photo of Payne on its X account, praising the singer for his “immense talent”, and adding that he will “leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans.”
The X Factor’s former presenter, Dermot O’Leary, also shared his memories of Payne auditioning as a teenage boy, and the time they spent together on the show.
“The worst news,” he wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
Images obtained by Argentinian media show Liam Payne’s hotel room littered with drug paraphernalia the day of his death. Credit: Nine News
After One Direction broke up in 2016, Payne released LP1, his debut album, in 2019. His last release was Teardrops in March.
He worked with multiple artists during this period, including singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, who contributed to Payne’s single Bedroom Floor in 2017.
Puth shared photos and videos of the pair collaborating to his Instagram page and stories on Thursday. “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone,” he wrote.
The images also show a smashed TV inside the hotel room.Credit: Nine News
Payne also worked with DJ Zedd when creating Get Low in 2017. The German music producer said he “can’t believe this is real” on social media after hearing news of Payne’s death, adding that it was “absolutely heartbreaking”.
Fellow boy-band the Backstreet Boys wrote on X that their “hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends and Directioners around the world”.
