Heartbroken fans sang a rendition of One Directions tear-jerking song Infinity outside the hotel where Liam Payne died yesterday - as the world mourns the star.
When news broke that the popstar, 31, had fallen to his death from the third floor balcony of his suite in the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, fans flocked to the scene to lay candles and flowers in tribute.
Some sang One Direction songs and others held each sobbing as they paused to remember Mr Payne, who was one fifth of the most popular boy band of the 2010s.
Today in the city, trees and lamposts close to the £230-a-night hotel have been adorned with scrawled messages of goodwill towards the singer, who leaves behind an eight-year-old son, Bear.
Local police said they had been called to the luxury hotel prior to Liams fall after being informed of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol.
He had arrived in the Latin American country earlier this month to attend ex bandmate Niall Horans concert with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
It comes as:
- Heartbroken fans descended on the hotel to lay candles and flowers for Payne;
- Celebrity tributes poured in from the likes of Dermot OLeary and Paris Hilton;
- Payne shared a photo with his girlfriend on Snapchat minutes before his death;
- Fans looked back at Paynes extraordinary X Factor audition in 2008 aged 14;
- Pictures revealed rooms inside the hotel where Payne plunged to his death;
- Harry Styless mother Anne Twist shared her grief with a tribute on Instagram.
A purported final photograph of Liam Payne at the the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires seems to show the former One Direction singer wearing a white sleeveless top with his tattoos visible
One of Liam Paynes final selfies in Buenos Aires was captioned: Lovely day in Argentina
Fans of British singer Liam Payne lit candles next to the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires
In emotional scenes outside Liams hotel last night fans gathered to pay tribute to the star
There were scenes of collective desolation outside the hotel where Liam Payne died last night
Last night, thousands of fans gathered outside the hotel where Liam Payne died
In heartbreaking footage, fans were heard singing One Directions hit song Infinity together outside the hotel
Others wrote messages of goodwill to the singer on trees outside the complex
Liam Payne had been staying in Argentina over the last few weeks and was pictured engaging with fans
Liam had travelled to Argentina to watch his One Direction bandmate Nialls concert
During his short stay in the city he took time to socialise with fans outside his hotel
Some were pictured lighting candles and praying for the singer
Others held each sobbing as they paused to remember Mr Payne who was one fifth of the most succesful boy band of the 2010s
Liam was a founding member of One Direction: the most popular boy band of the 2010s
His girlfriend Kate Cassidy posted a picture of the pair on her Instagram last August
In order to control the crowd, Argentinian police were forced to form a line in front of the hotel to stop distraught local fans getting too close to the scene.
Outside the Casa Sur hotel where Liam Payne was found dead on Wednesday evening, gathered fans held an impromptu vigil.
Crying and hugging, they lit candles and softly sung One Direction songs. They held a moment of silence, before clapping.
Some spoke of their shock at finding out the news, and shared their memories of the 31-year-old.
Its quite distressing, one fan, Rosario, told the BBC.
It still hasnt hit me, everything thats happening doesnt seem real, Letizia said.
Marina said she felt compelled to come and pay her respects because of how much Payne and One Direction meant to her during her adolescence.
I felt that it was necessary because he was a part of my childhood... All my friends and I were big fans of One Direction, it left its mark on us.
The news was very sad.
In the UK, a One Direction superfan says shes not sure how shes going to manage to listen to their songs again after Liam Paynes death.
Izzy Hawksworth, 21, has been a fan of the boyband since she was just seven, when they starred on TV show the X Factor in 2010.
Liam, 31, tragically died after he suffered from extremely serious injuries after he fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina yesterday (Weds).
Izzy, who has seen Liam live in concert three times, says she doesnt know how shes going to listen to their music, after his death.
She said: I am in a state of shock and have been left devastated by his passing.
Im glued to the news, its like Im waiting for someone to turn around and say we got it wrong, hes actually alive.
Meanwhile, a neighbour to Liam Paynes home in Buckinghamshire has said he was the most down to earth and helpful guy, following his death.
Thomas Evans, 17, who lives in St Turners Wood Drive, Chalfont St Giles, told the PA news agency that the former One Direction singer once came out of his house at 3am one night to come and check on Thomas and his siblings after they had an intruder on their property.
The incident took place about six months ago, Mr Evans said. He was staying at his home with his older brother, his older sister, and a friend, when someone tried to break into their property.
The 31-year-old shot to fame in 2010 on XFactor with former bandmates Niall Horan , Zayn Malik , Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson , despite initially auditioning separately.
A heartbreaking video shows Liam Payne singing and dancing at his former bandmate Niall Horans, where he later posted a picture with Niall to Snapchat captioned: Reunited.
He said: At about half past 2am, we saw a shadow through the window and realised there was an intruder on our driveway. There was quite a commotion.
Liam just heard some kids shouting and, bless him, he came over. He didnt have to.
There have been an outpour of tributes online, with fellow former X Factor contestants Jedwad writing: RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to his friends and family.
They added: Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear, and all the One Direction family.
Ex-X Factor contestant and TV personality Rylan Clark said: Extremely sad news. Very tragic and so young. RIP Liam x
Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor the year before One Direction, said he was lost for words, describing Paynes death as devastating on Instagram.
We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF (X Factor) days and the tour we shared together, Murs wrote beside a picture of the pair.
Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, Im truly gutted and devastated for his family and of course his son Bear losing a dad.
Harry Styles mother Anne Twist posted a broken-hearted emoji on Instagram, captioning it: Just a boy.
Fellow former contestant Katie Waissel wrote: My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words.
Former X Factor presenter Dermot OLeary described shock reports of Liam Paynes death as the worst news.
He said: I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.
Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx
Paris Hilton wrote: So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family and loves ones. RIP my friend.
Dermot OLeary has led the tributes to his friend Liam Payne following the former One Direction stars death
American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth also shared his heartbreak
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher has paid tribute to Liam Payne on X
Singer Boy George also paid tribute describing the news of his death as awful
The One Call Away singer wrote: I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry...
There has been an outpour of tributes online, with fellow celebrities sending their condolences
Singer Charlie Puth has shared a series of photos and videos to his Instagram as he paid tribute to the late One Direction star.
The 32-year-old Light Switch hitmaker posted a sweet photograph of the pair, each pointing to the other and with their arms around one another.
He wrote to his 18.4million followers: 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.
Singer Max George has revealed he is devastated at the news of Liam Paynes death.
The Wanted 2.0 star wrote on X: Liam was unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life.
Local police have since launched into the 31-year-olds sudden death, as tributes flood in in the wake of the tragedy.
A police statement from local police said they arrived to the hotel after they were informed of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol.
City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said Mr Payne had fallen around 40 metres and suffered severe injuries which were incompatible with life.
He said: The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur.
At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.
Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.
The stars final Snapchat post showed him happily posing with his partner Kate Cassidy as they looked into a mirror - a picture which was originally taken last August.
Further posts from the final moments of the stars life showed him enjoying lunch in his hotel room, where he revealed the pair had been waking up at 1pm every day and deciding on Forest Gump as a Halloween costume.
A further tragic selfie was captioned: Lovely day in Argentina before the star shared a photo of his hotel, writing: Happy I got some time away followed by a heart emoji.
He shared a further photo with Kate captioned: Quality time.
First responders arrive at the hotel where Liam Payne, former One Direction member, was found dead, in Buenos Aires
Police stand guard outside CasaSur Palmero Hotel where Liam Payne was found
Droves of fans have arrived at the scene in Buenos Aires in the wake of Liam Paynes death
Pictured: A forensic technician using his phone outside the hotel in the wake of the popstars sudden death
Fans place candles outside the hotel where Liam Payne was found dead
Fans of singer Liam Payne light candles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Emotional fans pictured outside the Casa Sur Palmero hotel this evening
One fan sitting on the curb in tears after the news of Liam Paynes death
Liams supporters embrace one another outside the hotel in Buenos Aires
Fans continue to light candles outside of the Argentinian hotel
Despite the adoration, the band ultimately finished in third place on the X Factor but shortly afterwards Cowell a reported £2million Syco contract
Liam Paynes ex-fiancée Maya Henry has broken her silence following the singers sudden death.
A source close to Henry has told DailyMail.com: Right now she is obviously in shock.
The model only found out when a member of her team was contacted by a reporter.
Liam began his pursuit to stardom when he initially auditioned for X Factor in 2008.
At only 14-years-old Liam impressed judges with his own version of Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra - but was later eliminated from the show.
However Payne gave his singing career another go auditioning for the competition again in 2010, where he quickly shot to fame as part of One Direction.
He and his former bandmates Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, were brought together by Simon Cowell and former judge Nicole Scherzinger who saw their potential as a group.
After just a few weeks of getting to know each other and non-stop rehearsing, the group impressed Simon at their Judges Houses audition and sailed through to the live shows.
The pop Svengali later admitted to Rolling Stone that it took him about a millionth of a second to spot the groups worldwide potential.
The fan reaction was instant too, with 1D hysteria soon dwarfing the show. Despite the adoration, the band ultimately finished in third place on the X Factor but shortly afterwards Cowell sealed their fate by signing the fivesome to a reported £2million Syco contract.
Keen to capitalise on the boys already devoted fanbase, Cowell moved quickly with recording for the bands debut album beginning in January 2011.
Payne was seen contemplating a Forest Gump Halloween costume - he would die just 15 days before the holiday
The star heartbreakingly said he was happy to have some time away less than an hour before he fell to his death
Reps for Liam Paynes ex- fiancée Maya Henry told DailyMail.com: Right now she is obviously in shock. (pictured: Payne and Henry in 2019 at Paris Fashion Week)
By September of that year One Directions first single was released with What Makes You Beautiful soaring to number one on the UK Singles Chart, after becoming the most pre-ordered Sony Music Entertainment single in history.
Their debut album, Up All Night was also a best seller, becoming the UKs fastest-selling debut album of 2011, with the record leading to their first tour which kicked off in the UK that December.
After Malik announced his departure from the band in 2015, the band members went their separate ways.
During their time as a group, One Direction won five Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, amassed over three billion YouTube views and sold 50 million records worldwide.
After releasing five albums with one of the biggest boybands of all time, Liam released his first solo album titled LP1 in 2019.
His singles Strip That Down co-written with Ed Sheeran climbed its way to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same year.
Over the course of his music career, the popstar collaborated with the likes of J Balvin, French Montana, Dixie DAmelio and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.
He was previously in a relationship with British pop sensation Cheryl Cole and the pair welcomed their son Bear Grey on March 22, 2017. The parents later split in 2018.
He was previously in a relationship with British pop sensation Cheryl Cole and the pair welcomed their son Bear Grey on March 22, 2017
Liam pictured with his son Bear as a newborn
After Malik announced his departure from the band in 2015, the band went their separate ways
After releasing five albums with one of the biggest boybands of all time, Liam released his first solo album titled LP1 in 2019
Over the course of his music career, the popstar collaborated with the likes of J Balvin, French Montana, Dixie DAmelio and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
Following his romance with Ms Cole, Liam had an on-and-off relationship with ex-fiancée Maya Henry, and the pair called it quits in May, 2022.
He leaves behind his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, his son Bear, seven and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
MailOnline has approached Liam Paynes representatives for comment.
I will never forget that. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time. Rest in peace Liam.
Stephen Bartlett penned: I cannot believe what Im reading about Liam Payne. Absolutely heartbreaking.
Martin Lewis wrote: Shocking and tragic. Rip. I dont know him, but this felt like a gut punch reading about such a young man. Thoughts with his loves ones.
MTV released the following tribute: Were deeply saddened to learn of Liam Paynes tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved one, and fans.
The Brit Awards said: Were incredibly sad to learn of the tragic passing of Liam Payne. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this time.
Spotify also added: We are deeply saddened by the news of Liam Paynes passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many fans who loved and supported him.