Trigger Warning: This article mentions death and drugs
Liam Payne was allegedly battling a “significant” drug addiction and was surrounded by young staffers eager to get him back on the road to capitalize on his fame before his tragic and untimely demise, a recent Page Six report reveals.
The One Direction star, who died on October 16 after falling several feet from his hotel room balcony, was also recently dropped by his record label and subsequently let go by his London-based publicist. These factors are believed to have contributed to the Teardrops singer’s declining mental health in the time leading up to his passing.
“Liam was battling a very significant drug addiction, and his treatment, as those who knew him will attest, was not working,” a well-placed industry source revealed to the publication. The situation reportedly worsened since the 31-year-old was in the company of young staffers eager to get him back on stage as soon as possible after he completed a 100-day rehab program in Louisiana in 2023.
“The issue is that it’s not just one person responsible for everything, as tempting as it is to blame someone. There are many people involved in working with an artist,” another music source told the outlet.
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A preliminary investigation into Payne’s case suggests that he was possibly under the influence when he plummeted to his death at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday. Law enforcement reportedly found several over-the-counter drugs in the star’s room, which he had reportedly vandalized, possibly during a breakdown episode shortly before his passing.
A 911 call from the hotel’s manager corroborates the aforestated early investigation findings. The call, translated from Spanish to English by BBC and other news outlets, revealed that the hotel’s management was seriously concerned about Payne’s well-being as well as the safety of other guests. They had reported a man — Payne — allegedly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, behaving erratically in the hotel’s lobby and breaking objects when he was conscious.
Payne’s 1D bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan have all issued statements grieving his death. In their personal tributes shared on their respective social media accounts, the four surviving members of the five-piece band remembered their departed friend as a brother with the kindest soul, in addition to his musical prowess.
On Friday, Simon Cowell, the mastermind behind the beloved pop group, said he felt “empty” in Payne’s absence. “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote via Instagram. “Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”
Payne is survived by his parents, his seven-year-old son Bear, and millions of heartbroken fans across the globe, who, despite their grief, have found the strength to celebrate his life and legacy.
If you know someone who is struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, please reach out to the authorities and report it. There are several helplines available for the same.
