Payne, who had transitioned from being part of One Direction to pursuing a solo career, experienced this professional blow while he was already troubled, as witnessed by those who interacted with him in the days leading up to his death.
Record label’s decision marks end of a partnership
The news of Payne’s separation from Universal Music came as a surprise to many. The “Midnight Hour” singer had signed a deal with Capitol Records in 2016, an entity under Universal, to establish his solo career after One Direction. The deal was a pivotal moment for Payne, who was reportedly “thrilled” at the opportunity to explore his individual musical style, as per a report by Blast.
However, amid a recent restructuring within the record label, Payne was let go—a decision that deeply affected him, according to sources mentioned by Blast.
The separation from his label occurred just before his tragic accident, casting a shadow over his final days. Reports indicate that Payne’s frustration over the situation was evident in his last interactions, as he struggled with the professional and personal challenges he was facing.
Hotel guest recalls Liam Payne’s distress
A hotel guest who encountered Payne shortly before his passing shared details of his agitated state.
According to the guest, identified as Rebecca, Payne appeared visibly upset while checking his emails in the lobby of the hotel. Wearing casual attire—a white vest, cargo pants, and trainers—Payne reportedly reacted angrily to an email, shouting and slamming his laptop on the ground in frustration.
Rebecca also noticed that Payne had the accessibility settings on his laptop enabled, which she found unusual. “He seemed to have the machine speaking out loud every time he moved the cursor, which caught my attention,” she recounted.
After reading an upsetting message, Payne reportedly exclaimed, “F-ck this sh-t, mate!” and physically damaged the device in a fit of rage, as per a report by Blast.
Concerns About Payne’s Behavior and Substance Use
The encounter corroborates previous reports that Payne might have been under the influence of drugs in his final days. Rebecca described Payne’s erratic behavior, which left hotel staff and other guests concerned. She approached him to ask if he was okay, but he responded dismissively, stating, “I’m so f-cked up.”
A man named Roger, who appeared to be accompanying Payne, attempted to calm the situation and apologized for the singer’s behavior, acknowledging that Payne had struggled with substance use.
The chaotic scene prompted hotel staff to monitor Payne closely, even making calls to what Rebecca believed were security or police. She speculated that Payne might have been waiting in the lobby to meet someone, potentially for drug-related reasons, further highlighting the troubling circumstances surrounding his final hours.
Extended Stay in Argentina and Final Days
Payne’s extended stay in Buenos Aires was unexpected. He and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, had initially planned a brief visit to attend a concert by his former bandmate, Niall Horan.
However, their stay stretched to two weeks, leading to Cassidy’s departure two days before Payne’s tragic fall. In a TikTok video, Cassidy expressed relief at leaving Argentina, mentioning her struggles with anxiety during their stay.
The fatal incident occurred on October 16, just days after Cassidy left, leading to Payne’s immediate death due to severe injuries, including a fractured skull.
Buenos Aires emergency services head, Alberto Crescenti, confirmed the severity of Payne’s injuries, noting that paramedics were unable to resuscitate him upon arrival.
FAQs
How old was Liam Payne when he died?
Former One Direction star Liam Payne, 31, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday after falling from a balcony.
Why did One Direction split up?
Liam Payne’s family has expressed their heartbreak after the musician tragically fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne, who was a member of the immensely popular band One Direction before the group disbanded in 2016 to pursue solo careers, was 31 years old.
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