One Direction star Liam Payne dies aged 31, per reports

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By Kim Novak

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One Direction star Liam Payne has died aged 31 according to reports.

GettyImages-1474000783.jpgSinger Liam Payne has died aged 31. Credit: Joseph Okpako/WireImage/getty Images

TMZ reports that the singer died following a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina on Wednesday.

The outlet reports that several witnesses said the singer fell from the room he was staying in on the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires.

Payne, who was a former member of One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, is a father to a seven-year-old son, Bear Payne, with his ex, singer Cheryl.

TMZ stated that it had obtained photos of the singer's body following the fall, with small images of his distinctive tattoos visible. A red tent had also been erected at the site as an investigation into the tragic incident began.

Witnesses claimed that the tragic incident occurred shortly after 5PM and that Payne had allegedly been "acting erratic in the hotel lobby earlier" and had reportedly needed to be carried back to his room, and had also reportedly smashed his laptop.

GettyImages-1175435212.jpgOnlookers said the singer fell from his hotel room. Credit: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for ABA

Reuters also shared that local newspapers La Nacion and Clarin reported that police were called to the hotel in the neighborhood of Palermo after an emergency call regarding an "aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol."

The BBC reports that the head of Buenos Aires's SAME emergency medical service, Alberto Crescenti, told local television Payne had suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall" and there was "no possibility of resuscitation".

He added that Payne was taken to Casa Sur hospital following a call to the emergency services.

GettyImages-451482061.jpgPayne (second right) found global fame as a member of One Direction. Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel

Payne had found global fame as part of One Direction after the band finished third on the British version of the X Factor in 2010, but went on an ongoing hiatus in 2015 as the members pursued solo projects.

Payne released his debut solo album, titled LP1, in 2018 and the lead single of which, 'Strip That Down', went platinum.

Our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and fans at this heartbreaking time.

Featured image credit: Joseph Okpako/WireImage/Getty Images