Hotel Guest Heard 'Loud, Violent Scream' Before Liam Payne's Death (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

A guest at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, heard commotion coming fromLiam Payne’s room before the formerOne Directionmember’s death.

Before Payne fell multiple stories at the hotel anddied at age 31 on Oct. 16, another person staying at the same property heard “a lot of noise” coming from his room, including “a really loud, violent scream.”

“I thought it was construction. I thought they were working on the room,” the hotel guest tells PEOPLE, explaining the noise sounded like “heavy lifting” or “banging.”

Liam Payne in November 2017.Kevin Mazur/Gett

Kevin Mazur/Gett

The guest witnessed hotel staff “going in and out” of Payne’s room, where “more noise” was made around 4:30 p.m. Police were called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. local time, and Payne was said to have died shortly afterward.

Minutes after the noise started back up, the guest recalls, “I heard a really loud, violent scream.”

The hotel patron then “heard sirens” but initially didn’t think much about it, until he “came down the elevator” and saw the “whole street was full of cop cars.”

Liam Payne in December 2022.Mike Marsland/WireImage

Mike Marsland/WireImage

Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, previously told PEOPLE that Payne “jumped from the balcony” at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.

Payne died from multiple injuries and “internal and external” hemorrhages, the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE.

Liam Payne in January 2018.Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

Liam Payne in November 2019.Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

Additionally, they confirmed “no defensive injuries were found” and no injuries suggested that any third parties were involved.

The prosecutor’s office handling the case said in a statement that the toxicology report is still pending.

Liam Payne in March 2023.Joseph Okpako/WireImage

Joseph Okpako/WireImage

The worker said Payne’s life could be “in danger,” as he was “in a room with a balcony,” according to Sky News.

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Liam Payne in November 2017.Gareth Cattermole/getty

Gareth Cattermole/getty

“We’re afraid he could do something that threatens his life,” said the manager — who said his name was “Esteban” — per the outlet.

The BBC transcript also stated the employee said Payne was"trashing the entire room"before his death.

source: people.com