Payne was staying at the Casa Sur Hotel in Palermo and fell off of the third floor balcony of his hotel room, according to Buenos Aires police.  

The director of emergency services in Buenos Aires said that police received a call on Wednesday about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

According to Todo Noticias, when police arrived, they found Payne in the hotel courtyard. Emergency services confirmed his death on the scene.

His death was confirmed by Alberto Crescenti, the director of emergency services in Buenos Aires. 

Crescenti said the cause of death is still unclear as authorities wait for the results of the autopsy. 

In 2023, Payne shared his struggles with substance abuse on his YouTube and Instagram. 

He also had to postpone his 2023 tour due to a kidney infection.   

CNN reported that Payne was seen at his bandmate Niall Horan’s concert in Argentina just a couple weeks prior to the incident. 

Payne rose to fame as part of One Direction, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, contributing to their massive success. 

The band was formed on the British reality TV show “The X Factor,” and included Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. 

One Direction is known for hits like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” and “Steal My Girl.”

The band went on hiatus after releasing five albums and each member began to release solo music.  

After the band announced its hiatus in 2016, Payne pursued a solo career, debuting his first single, “Strip That Down” in 2017. 

His newest single, “Teardrops,” was released in March. 

Payne is survived by his son Bear with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole, as well as his parents and his sisters. 

His passing has left an everlasting mark on Directioners, who admired his contributions to the boy band and his efforts as a solo artist. 

Despite the recent challenges, his impact on pop music and pop culture remains influential, cementing his legacy in the music industry.