Former fans of the boyband sensation “One Direction” have been mourning the loss of one of its members, Liam Payne, who died tragically after falling from a third story balcony on October 16.
Payne fell from his hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, where he had traveled to attend the concert of one of his former bandmates, Niall Horan.
Supporters of the singer have been reeling with grief. There have been countless theories and speculations conjured up as to what ultimately led to Payne’s death, a popular theory being that it was an act of suicide.
There is still much to uncover, according to new information that has been consistently coming out since the date of Payne’s initial passing, but according to a statement from Argentina’s public prosecutor, Liam Payne’s death has not yet been ruled as a suicide.
The statement issues that the details of the situation “rule out the possibility of a conscious or voluntary act,” and that, “in the state he was in, he did not know what he was doing nor could he understand it.”
Days leading up to the singer’s death are documented by fans who greeted him outside of the Argentina hotel he was staying at. There, he took various photos and had multiple brief interactions with fans.
On the day of his actual death, however, Payne allegedly showed many concerning behaviors. A 911 call made by the chief receptionist of the hotel reveals the erratic behavior Payne displayed, saying “We have a guest who is high on drugs and who is trashing the room.”
Prior to this call, Payne allegedly collapsed in the lobby of the Buenos Aires hotel lobby and was taken back up to his room.
Many of those touched by the loss of Liam Payne, including family members and those closest to him, argue that his death was, in their words, avoidable.
An anonymous source claiming to be close to Payne believed that if hotel staff had immediately called an ambulance after his initial collapse, he “would have lived.”
The source said, “Liam didn’t want to die […] If someone had called an ambulance when he collapsed in the hotel lobby instead of taking him back to his room and leaving him in there alone, in a psychotic state, he would still be with us.”
The artist ultimately succumbed to various internal and external injuries.
Following a post-mortem exam, prosecutors have revealed that Payne may have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness.
As of now, three people have been charged in connection with the singer’s death. A hotel employee as well as a second suspect are being charged with supplying narcotics to Payne, whereas one suspect who has been said to have been accompanying Payne on a daily basis during his stay in Argentina is being charged with “abandonment of a person followed by death.”
Those who followed One Direction during their time as a band looked especially to its members, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson for their statements on the passing of their beloved friend.
The boys took to Instagram for their heartfelt tributes. Harry Styles said, “His [Liam] greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.”
Niall Horan said, “We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”
Zayn Malik said, “I lost a brother when you [Liam] left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.”
Louis Tomlinson said, “I want you [Liam] to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was. I wish I got [the] chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
Regardless of developments, friends, family, and fans have been continuously grieving the loss since it occurred. Many supporters of Payne and One Direction have grouped together to honor and show support to the late singer and his family. Lighting candles, leaving flowers, and singing songs, devastated fans are navigating the passing of Liam Payne together.