Liam Payne is dead at the latest: details, cause of death and everything we know so far

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has described the death of Liam Payne as “very sad news”.

She told Sky News on Thursday morning: “It’s very sad news, it’s not an age at which someone loses their life and my thoughts are with his friends and family. This must be a total shock for them and very, very worrying.”

She said of his friends and family that “my thoughts are with them at this really difficult time.”

Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood has paid tribute to Payne, sharing a clip of the moment he made a surprise appearance with One Direction X factor.

“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Liam Payne,” the rock legend wrote on X/Twitter. “It was a pleasure to work with him on our project X factor Perfomance. God bless Liam and thinking of all his loved ones. We will miss him very much.”

In the days before his death, Liam Payne’s girlfriend of two years, 25-year-old influencer Kate Cassidy, had accompanied him on his trip to Argentina. The couple documented their journey together on social media.

Cassidy had been traveling with Payne for two weeks before deciding to return home to her home in Florida.

In a vlog posted to her TikTok account two days before Payne’s death, Cassidy said she was “so ready to leave Buenos Aires” after her five-day trip turned into a two-week vacation.

Liam Payne’s football team, West Bromwich Albion, have paid tribute: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Baggies fan and musician Liam Payne,” said a statement on the official X/Twitter account of the club.

“Our thoughts are with Liam’s family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time.”

Singer and reality TV star Paris Hilton paid tribute to the former One Direction member in a post on X, calling the singer’s death “so disturbing.”

“Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones,” she wrote. “Quiet, my friend.”

DJ and music producer Zedd, who worked with Payne on the 2017 song “Get Low,” called the singer’s death “absolutely heartbreaking.”

Pop singer Charlie Puth, co-writer of Payne’s 2017 song “Bedroom Floor,” said he was in “shock.”

“Liam has always been so kind to me,” he posted on his Instagram alongside a collection of photos of the couple working together.

“He was one of the first great artists I had the opportunity to work with. I can’t believe he’s gone… I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

Former X Factor contestant Rylan said Payne’s death was “so tragic” while singing duo Jedward expressed their love for their baby son Bear and his family.

“Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and the entire One Direction family,” Jedward wrote on X.

One Direction star Liam Payne shared pictures and videos from his vacation in Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy almost an hour before his death.

In a Snapchat, the singer was seen sitting at a breakfast table in his hotel and joking with Cassidy. “Beautiful day in Argentina,” the caption of the video read.

In another post, Payne posed for a selfie with Cassidy with the caption “Quality Time” and teased a Halloween costume idea with a photo of himself sitting in a chair. The headline read: “Halloween costume idea: Forest Gump.”

His last Snapchat story was a photo of himself and Cassidy in swimsuits, which Cassidy posted to Instagram in August 2023 to celebrate his 30th birthday.

An hour later, the 31-year-old died after falling from the third floor of the hotel. The investigation into his death is ongoing.

Liam Payne was reportedly in Buenos Aires to see Niall Horan perform, having previously told fans he wanted to “do some things” with his former One Direction bandmate.

“We’re going to Argentina,” the singer said on Snapchat in the weeks before his death. “Firstly, because we want it. Secondly, because we want it. And three, because Niall Horan is playing down there and I think we could just go and say hello.”

Payne admitted: “It’s been a while since me and Niall have spoken. We have a lot to discuss and I would like to clarify a few things with the boy. No bad vibes or anything, but we just need to talk.”

The pop star was later seen enjoying Horan’s performance, singing and dancing while interacting with fans during Horan’s show at Movistar Arena on October 2.