Witnesses noted that Roger attempted to persuade Payne to leave his hotel room, which was filled with drug paraphernalia.
A guest named Rebecca recounted the scene, saying, “Liam was trying to impress everyone and introduced himself loudly while Roger seemed irritated with him.”
She described how Roger rolled his eyes at Payne and appeared to apologize to others for the singer’s condition.
“Roger was clearly struggling to manage the situation,” she added, mentioning how he urged Liam to return to his room, even jokingly pretending to choke him at one point.
A Chaotic Evening
Rebecca, a 28-year-old IT consultant from Washington, shared that she and her friends were waiting to check into their rooms when they encountered Payne and Nores.
She believed Roger was trying to get Payne to check out, as they had overstayed their reservation.
“Liam was clearly on a bender, refusing to leave,” she remarked.
Minutes later, Roger stormed out of the hotel, apologizing for Liam’s antics and saying, “I’m sorry about Liam; he just gets so high.”
Mixed Signals in the Relationship
Nores has frequently been seen with Payne in recent weeks, leading to rumors about a possible romantic connection between the two.
However, Payne denied these claims, stating, “There were a lot of rumors about me and Roger being together, which is not true.”
He humorously noted, “If I were, I might go for him, but I’m not, and he’s not either.”
Disturbing Behavior Before the Fall
Rebecca described Payne’s unsettling behavior in the moments leading up to his death.
She recounted that he had smashed his laptop in frustration and made a shocking admission: “I used to be in a boy band – that’s why I’m so f**ked up.”
His erratic actions, including fake choking a young woman in the elevator, left her feeling unsettled.
Just 36 minutes after this encounter, hotel staff reported Payne’s fall to authorities.
The Aftermath
Witnesses were horrified as chaos unfolded in the hotel.
“When the police arrived, we initially thought they would just kick him out, but the urgency of the situation quickly became clear,” Rebecca said.
After the incident, she spent the night away from the hotel, shaken by the events and the sounds of mourning fans outside.
A Community in Mourning
Payne, who rose to fame as part of One Direction, died from multiple traumas following the fall.
His family expressed their heartbreak, saying, “Liam will forever live in our hearts.”
His former bandmates shared their devastation and cherished memories, with Harry Styles describing their years together as among the most treasured of his life.
“He had an energy for life that was infectious,” Styles said, emphasizing the impact Payne had on those around him.
Reflections from Friends and Fans
Fellow band member Louis Tomlinson promised to support Payne’s young son, Bear, stating, “If Bear ever needs me, I’ll be the uncle he needs in his life.”
Zayn Malik also expressed his grief, thanking Payne for being there during his struggles, while Camila Cabello remembered him fondly as a kind figure during her own rise to fame.
Investigations Underway
As tributes poured in, local authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death.
Reports indicated that his hotel room was in disarray, with various items scattered around.
Fans gathered outside the hotel to mourn, lighting candles and leaving flowers as a testament to the lasting impact of Payne’s life and career.
Legacy of a Star
Liam Payne’s journey from a boy band star to a solo artist was marked by both triumph and turmoil.
With hits like “For You,” a collaboration with Rita Ora, and his debut solo album, Payne made a significant mark on the music scene.
Following his passing, the music community continues to celebrate his life and contributions, highlighting the joy he brought to many during his time in the spotlight.