Liam Payne Fan Recalls Encounter Days Before His Death
One of Liam Payne's devoted fans has opened up about her encounter with the singer just days before his untimely passing. Zaira Bravo, a 23-year-old fan from Peru, was visiting Buenos Aires when she had the chance to meet the former One Direction member.
"I knew that Liam was here in Palermo," Bravo exclusively shared. "We were trying to see him with my friend. We came to the hotel, and we saw him. He greeted us, but we didn’t think these things would happen." Although Bravo was unable to get a picture with Payne, she observed him interacting kindly with other fans from a distance.
"He always presented himself as very kind and respectful," Bravo reflected. "He always had a moment to take pictures with us and give autographs. But as they say, you never know what’s going on inside, even if someone looks happy on the outside."
Tragically, on October 16, it was confirmed that Payne had passed away at the age of 31 after a fall from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires.
A preliminary autopsy report revealed that he died from both internal and external hemorrhages. Law enforcement officials indicated that it was still unclear whether the fall was a result of an accident or something more intentional.
"Hearing what happened to Liam breaks my heart," Bravo stated. "It's something I can’t explain." Initially, Bravo thought the news of Payne’s death was a hoax. "I couldn’t believe it. I’m still in shock," she said.
As investigators combed through Payne’s hotel room, they found evidence of substance use, including alcohol and drugs, alongside broken items scattered throughout the room. According to a statement from the Buenos Aires prosecutor's office, the evidence suggested that he was alone at the time of the incident and possibly experiencing issues related to substance abuse. "City police discovered substances inside the room that preliminarily appear to be narcotics, as well as alcoholic beverages and several damaged items," the statement added.
Payne was known to have openly discussed his struggles with mental health and had celebrated a 100-day sobriety milestone the previous year. In light of his death, those closest to him have chosen to remember his life and musical contributions. Members of One Direction—including Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan—joined together to honor their beloved friend and bandmate.
In their heartfelt tribute shared on Instagram, the band expressed their devastation at the news of Payne’s passing. "In time, when everyone is ready, there will be more to share," they wrote. "But for now, we need time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. We love you, Liam."
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, help is available. You can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Liam, Bravo, Death