What Made Him Beautiful

One Direction’s Liam Payne Dies at 31

Photo by Ashley Newby / CC BY 2.0

Fans have asked if One Direction’s all-member reunion will ever happen. Unfortunately, their wish is forever buried with Liam Payne, a 31-year-old pop star who died on Oct. 16 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His autopsy revealed internal bleeding and 25 lethal injuries throughout his body.

“I was shocked and very very sad,” junior Nishi Bhanderi said. “I realized that One Direction will never have a reunion and I think overall it made everyone who has been a fan of One Direction very sad.”

Local police reported that they found a bottle of whiskey, a lighter and a mobile phone from where he fell, indicating Payne was alone when the incident happened. An initial toxicology result showed multiple substances, including pink cocaine, found in his body. The police stated that Payne likely had a breakdown due to substance abuse, but more autopsy results will be available in the following weeks.

“I think One Direction was super popular, so people will probably be super upset about it,” senior Diya Patel said. “A lot of people were inspired by him.”

Fans mourned Payne’s death in front of the hotel, singing songs by One Direction. Payne’s father also visited the hotel and shared deep sorrows with the fans. On Oct. 20, fans organized a tribute event with flowers and balloons at the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park in London. At these events and on social media, fans shared how the singer was a big part of their lives and showed support for his family and the rest of One Direction members.

“For me, One Direction was the start of my love for boy bands and I think the same for lots of other teens around my age,” sophomore Lauren Conn said. “So seeing his death really brought back memories and nostalgia, and even though I hadn’t listened to One Direction’s music in a little while, his death for sure made me feel sad.”

Payne’s funeral will likely be held in November as his body will remain in Buenos Aires for final toxicological results. His body will then be sent to his hometown, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

All four of the remaining One Direction members made a tribute post for Payne on social media, sharing how Payne impacted their lives and will remain in their hearts forever. The official One Direction Instagram account posted for the first time in four years. It was a post fans have long awaited, but not what they were prepared for.