Liam Payne seen entering hotel in chilling final photo hours before fatal fall from balcony
Liam Payne was last photographed getting into an elevator at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires before a fatal fall from his room’s balcony Wednesday.
The photo, which was taken from security footage and obtained by América Televisión, shows the former One Direction member holding what seems to be a laptop while waiting for the elevator.
Payne, who wore a loose-fitting white tank top and slacks, appeared expressionless while looking straight ahead.
It’s unclear how much time passed before Payne tragically died from “extremely serious injuries” when he fell from the balcony of his third-floor room. He was 31.
At the time of his death, police were already en route to the hotel as they were responding to a call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” which was later identified to be Payne.
The hotel manager told an emergency services operator, per the obtained 911 call, “We have a guest who is [allegedly] high and drunk; and when he is conscious, he is destroying his room and we need you to send someone, please.
“We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if his life is in danger.”
The person went on to explain that Payne had a “room that has a balcony” and they were “scared he might be endangering his life.”
It was then that the manager heard a noise and discovered Payne’s body in the courtyard.
A preliminary autopsy report shared by the Forensic Medical Corps at the Judicial Morgue revealed that Payne suffered multiple traumas which led to internal and external bleeding. An emergency doctor also revealed that the singer had possibly fractured his skull due to the fall.
“Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life,” Buenos Aires medical services director Alberto Crescenti said.
“Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death,” he continued.
Crescenti did not comment on Payne’s state of mind or whether he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of death. However, drug paraphernalia was found in his hotel room, according to photos shared by officials.
Payne arrived in Argentina to see former bandmate Niall Horan perform on Oct. 2 in hopes of a reconciliation.
However, he and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, decided to stay a few more weeks. She ultimately returned home to Florida sans Payne two days before his death.
The “Gotta Be You” singer posted several videos and photos from the vacation to his Snapchat in scheduled posts. He was also seen interacting with fans before his death.
