LIAM Payne’s friends were so worried about the star’s excessive drink and alleged drug use in recent weeks that they were planning an intervention, a source has revealed.
Tragically for the distraught pals, they were too late, as Liam, 31, fell from the third floor of the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and died on Wednesday after behaving erratically.
Liam Payne posted this picture before his death[/caption]
An aerial view of the poolside area of the hotel where Liam died[/caption]
Champagne, prescription drugs, white powder and foil wraps were all found in Liam’s trashed hotel room where he plummeted to his death from the balcony at around 5pm.
Fellow hotel guests revealed how the star was acting in a “disturbing” manner shortly before his death, with Liam admitting to one woman: “I used to be in a boy band – that’s why I’m so f**ked up.”
Friends said that Liam had been in a dark place the past few weeks and turned to drink as he struggled with his career and other personal issues.
Liam’s record label Universal also reportedly dropped the star just a few days ago.
A source told The Sun exclusively: “His friends have been worried about him for weeks because he was struggling with his career and wanted to release some new music but he felt he wasn’t as good as his other bandmates, which they kept telling him just wasn’t true. He was just always so hard on himself.
“Then in recent weeks his drinking and suspected drug use started to worry his friends, they were actually planning an intervention, it was that bad.
“They were heartbroken seeing him this way – but just didn’t know how to go about staging a proper intervention.
“They’ve been worried sick about him, he’s just been in a bad place for the past few weeks. Lots of his friends had been telling him gently to get professional help or go to rehab but he just wouldn’t listen.
“The day of his death he was acting very off and erratically. One of his friends suggested to him again to him that he should get help but this just seemed to set him off more.
“Everyone is just distraught – their only comfort is that police have said he would have died instantly in the fall so he wouldn’t have suffered.”
Dad-of-one Liam was in the Argentinian city for his bandmate Niall Horan’s concert when he died.
His girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, had been with him on the trip but reportedly returned home to Florida two days before his death.
Emergency services in Buenos Aires confirmed he died instantly from fatal injuries to his skull.
An autopsy stated that Liam’s severe injuries led to “internal and external haemorrhaging”.
Police said they found what appeared to be “narcotics, alcohol, destroyed objects and furniture” in his hotel room as well as over the counter and prescription drugs.
Results from a toxicology report are pending.
In recent weeks his drinking and suspected drug use started to worry his loved ones, they were actually planning an intervention, it was that bad.
Source
Witnesses said they saw Liam “causing a disturbance” minutes before he died.
One hotel guest Brett Watson told ITV that he saw Liam appear to pass out before being physically removed from the lobby and taken back to his room.
Staff then made a 911 call telling cops that they needed “urgent assistance” with a guest who was “behaving erratically”.
They reported that the guest was “destroying everything in his room” according to recordings of the call.
Argentinian prosecutors said they had spoken to two witnesses who were allegedly with him the night before his death, although it is believed the two females left the hotel without him earlier on Wednesday after waiting for him in the lobby, local news outlet Infobae reported.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
Liam’s One Direction bandmates said they were “devastated” over the news.
In a joint statement they said: “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
In a separate statement, bandmate Harry Styles said Liam’s “greatest joy was making people happy” while Louis Tomlinson said “he was the kind of brother I’d longed for”.
Liam’s family said they were devastated at the star’s death.
The star also leaves behind his son Bear, who he had with Cheryl Cole.
Crowds of mourning fans gathered outside the hotel to pay their respects to the pop star, who skyrocketed to fame aged just 16 in the X Factor in 2010.
The Sun has reached out to Liam’s rep for comment.
Liam leaves behind son Bear who he had with Cheryl Cole[/caption]
Liam’s One Direction bandmates have all paid tribute to their friend[/caption]
Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy[/caption]
Devastated fans gathered outside the hotel to pay their respects to their idol[/caption]
