"He had his cap and bag on" — Fans react to theory Liam Payne was trying to escape from locked room through hotel balcony amid hallucinations

The late former One Directioner, Liam Payne (Image via Instagram/@liampayne)
The late former One Directioner, Liam Payne (Image via Instagram/@liampayne)

Liam Payne reportedly sourced his drugs from a hotel worker just hours before his death, The Sun reported. Allegedly, he was under the influence of Cristal, a psychotic-episode-inducing hallucinogenic substance. Per the outlet, several staff members thought to have given him the drugs have been fired. Payne fell to his death on Wednesday, October 16, from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

However, fan theories online have begun emerging surrounding the details leading up to his death. In one theory on X, a user alleged that the singer took drugs that made him "hallucinate and convulse," leaving him "desperate for help." Allegedly, however, "he was locked in his room all alone whilst police was called..." The statement has not been confirmed.

The post continued, theorizing that Liam Payne "probably wanted to get out of his room through the balcony.. he didn't want to die or jump; he was wearing his cap and bag." Several social media users concurred, pointing out that the former One Direction member looked like he was gearing up to go somewhere. One user stated on X,

"just seen THAT photo of Liam Payne… he had his cap and bag on, it looks like he tried to escape the hotel from the balcony but fell to his death, what a shame."

Others concurred, noting that the entire situation was very "unfortunate."

"The idea of being locked in a hotel can definitely bring back memories of feeling trapped, especially for someone like Liam who experienced that during his One Direction days. It’s heartbreaking to think about how those feelings might have resurfaced," one user posited.
"It’s actually more depressing knowing this all coulda been avoided. Very very unfortunate outcome man," another empathized.
"My first thought about this, beeing locked in the hotel again might have brouht flashbacks from 1D days beeing locked in hotel rooms alone :( if he was trying to get out through the balcony:(," another shared.
"HE JUST WANTED TO ESCAPE! the locked room gave him ptsd Someone should have stayed with him," yet another iterated.

However, several others questioned the credibility of such statements and pointed out that Liam Payne was a grown man who didn't need the hotel staff to take care of him.

"This is absolutely heartbreaking, but I have to ask.. what is this based on? Have the police made statements? Or is it "sources"? Or just someone guessing? Not saying it can't be true. But we need to be fact checking now more than ever," one user asserted.
"Hotel staff are not equipped in any way to deal with a fully grown man allegedly on a self instigated bad illegal drugs trip. No way should such staff be expected to put their own safety at risk for this. Ever. No one forced Liam Payne to take hallucinatory drugs in that hotel," another pointed out.
"The hotel staff are not counsellors, nor are they trained in identifying and dealing with drug addiction…this is not on them! The reality is he made bad choices and unfortunately suffered the consequences. Supposition and grave vine gossip only serves to further upset his loved ones…have a bit of respect!" someone else advised.

Liam Payne tried his best to stay clean, sources reveal

According to The Sun, Liam Payne tested free from all drugs just a day before his demise. According to the source, the singer "tried really hard to get clean" but was ultimately "preyed upon" by the hotel staff.

"These people just care about money - they don’t care about putting people’s lives in danger. It’s an evil trade. This is all just tragic.”

According to The Daily Mail, a friend close to the late singer echoed the claims:

"Liam was doing everything to stay clean but as soon as he got to the hotel these people were offering him alcohol and drugs."

Not long before he died, multiple outlets reported that the singer was displaying erratic behavior in the hotel lobby. Furthermore, The Sun revealed that Payne spent some time before passing with two local blonde women, Aldana Serrano, 27, and Lucila Goitea, 31.


Liam Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear Payne, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Nicole. At the time of his death, he was dating Kate Cassidy, 25.

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Edited by Priscillah Mueni