KUALA LUMPUR: Liam Payne, former One Direction member, passed away on Oct 16, at the age of 31.
Payne's death has left fans and the media speculating about whether it was a tragic accident or a possible suicide, as authorities have yet to provide clarity on the circumstances.
The "Strip That Down" singer reportedly fell from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Payne had been staying in the city to support his former bandmate, Niall Horan, who was performing in the area.
US media outlet TMZ first broke the news, sharing photos from the scene that have since sparked controversy.
TMZ reported that Payne had been "acting erratically" shortly before his death, including an incident in which he smashed his laptop in the hotel lobby and had to be escorted back to his room.
Further reports from Marca.com, The Express Tribune, and other outlets shared disturbing images of Payne's hotel suite.
The room was reportedly in disarray, with a shattered TV, drug paraphernalia, and various other items scattered throughout.
Though the authenticity of these photos remains unconfirmed, their release has added fuel to ongoing discussions on social media.
In the hours leading up to his death, Payne shared a now-deleted post on Snapchat, suggesting he was enjoying his time with his girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy.
However, Cassidy had already returned to Florida earlier in the week, leaving Payne behind in Argentina. The post appeared to contradict the reports of his erratic behavior, with Payne stating he was having a "lovely day."
Before the trip, Payne shared on Instagram that he was looking forward to reconnecting with Horan, mentioning that it had been a while since they last spoke and that there were things he wanted to "square up" with his former bandmate.
Payne had been candid in the past about his struggles with mental health and addiction.
In a 2021 interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Payne revealed that he had battled alcoholism during his time in One Direction, admitting that at his lowest point, he had experienced suicidal thoughts.
"I hit rock bottom," Payne confessed during the podcast, describing how the pressures of fame and isolation led to a dependence on alcohol.
"The best way to secure us, because of how big it got, was to lock us in a room. And, of course, what is in the room? A minibar."
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Payne's struggles reportedly worsened.
He later sought treatment, spending 100 days in rehab in 2023 in a bid to turn his life around.
However, a source close to Payne recently claimed that despite his openness about his challenges, his struggles were "much worse than he let on."
Payne leaves behind a 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with ex-partner Cheryl Cole.
He had also been dealing with legal disputes involving his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, in the years leading up to his death.