Authorities have issued a statement after Liam Payne was found dead outside a hotel in Argentina.
The 31-year-old singer had risen to global fame as a member of One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik.
The band was formed in 2010 during X Factor UK and ended up becoming one of the most successful groups of all time.
The 'Strip That Down' musician had been pronounced dead after having fallen from a third-floor room balcony of the Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires, according to BBC News.
Police officers responded to an emergency call, reportedly made by the hotel manager, about an "aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol" and was "destroying the room," per AP News.
While there was no confirmation that this call was about Payne, the hotel manager expressed concerns about the accessible balcony in the guest's room.
Shortly after police arrived, a loud sound was heard from the hotel’s courtyard, and Payne's body was found.
A transcript of the 911 call moments before Payne's death has been obtained by Sky News and you can hear the hotel manager saying: "Caza Azul Palermo. We need to send someone with urgency because I don't know if the guest's life is in danger because he is in a room with balcony, and we are afraid he could do something that threatens life," and that the guest "has been for the past three days".
Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, has also released a statement adding further details.
He claimed to Argentina's Todo Noticias TV channel that the late singer fell into a courtyard, and disclosed that cops were investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
"At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel," the statement read, per The Mirror.
"At 17.11 a SAME team arrived and verified the death of this man and later we found out that he was a singer in a musical group. Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation," he added.
Heartbroken fans have now taken to social media to share tribute posts about the late One Direction star, who was a father to a seven-year-old son named Bear Grey Payne with singer Cheryl.
"As a Directioner, it feels like we’ve lost a part of our youth, our memories, and a voice that inspired millions. He once said, 'I was always gonna live fast, die young,' but we never thought it would be this soon. Thank you, Liam, for all the joy you brought into our lives," one fan penned under Payne's X post.
A second shared: "Heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of Liam Payne. From One Direction to his solo career, he touched so many lives with his music and heart. Rest in peace, Liam. Your legacy will live on forever."
"I’m absolutely devastated. more than devastated. Liam James Payne, dad of the band, outgoing, very talented, an amazing father. You mean so much to me and others. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the boys, your family, and especially us fans. Love you forever," a third added.
The UK Foreign Office announced that they were in touch with authorities in Argentina "regarding reports of the death of a British man," Per BBC News. No further details were given.
Our thoughts continue to be with his loved ones at this difficult time.
