‘I’m crying:’ Tributes flow on One Direction star Liam Payne’s final Instagram post

Charlie Puth and Paris Hilton have joined shocked fans in paying tribute to the One Direction star.

Tributes are pouring in for former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who has been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires.

The British singer 31, is understood to have fallen from the third floor of a hotel around 5pm, local time, local media reports.

His body was found in the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood, surrounded by tables and chairs.

Payne was reportedly found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires. Picture: JC Olivera/Getty

He found fame as one-fifth of One Direction. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

Heartbroken fans have taken to Payne’s social media account to share tributes under his latest Instagram post – where the singer shared a photo of his One Direction bandmates in a tribute to American documentary filmmaker, writer Morgan Spurlock who died in May.

“Rest in peace Liam, you were my childhood,” one person wrote.

“I’m crying I love u,” said another.

“This can’t be real,” another added.

“Rest easy, Liam,” said another.

“Heart broken right now,” another wrote.

Another fan expressed sadness over the photo with his former bandmates “being the last thing he posted”.

Stars shocked Payne’s death

Many in the music industry have shared their shock and heartbreak over Payne’s sudden death.

“RIP Liam … I can’t believe this is real … absolutely heartbreaking …,” German DJ Anton Zaslavski, also known as Zedd, wrote on X.

“Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family,” Irish singing and television presenting duo, Jedward, wrote.

Singer Charlie Puth shared a series of posts on his Instagram Story where he remembered Payne for being “so kind” to him.

Charlie Puth has paid tribute to Liam Payne on Instagram. Picture: Instagram@charlieputh

He shared an old photo of the pair together. Picture: Instagram@charlieputh

“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,” Puth wrote, before sharing an old photo and video of the pair.

“May he rest in peace.”

Meanwhile, US 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.”

Alberto Crescenti, head of the Buenos Aires’ public emergency medical services, confirmed the star’s death, saying he fell around 14 metres, suffering “very serious injuries incompatible with life”.

“At 17:04, through 911, the integrated public security system, we were alerted about a person who was in an internal courtyard of the Casa Sur hotel. At 17:11, a team arrived and confirmed the man’s death,” he said.

“We later learned that he was a singer in a musical group. Unfortunately, he had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death. There was no possibility of resuscitation.

Payne shot to fame in 2011 after appearing on the X-Factor where he become a member of hit boy band One Direction with Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan.

Payne is father to a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with singer Cheryl Cole.

He has been dating influencer Kate Cassidy since October 2022.

More to come

Originally published as ‘I’m crying:’ Tributes flow on One Direction star Liam Payne’s final Instagram post