Before the tragic end, the hotel staff called for an emergency to try to prevent the fatal outcome. Minutes before the tragic death of Liam Payne, former One Direction vocalist, at a hotel in the Palermo neighborhood, the hotel reception staff called 911 to attempt to avert the fatal outcome.
In the 911 call, the operator quickly recognized that something was wrong. The receptionist reported that a guest was “overdoing it with drugs and alcohol” and causing damage to the room. The staff member requested that the police and emergency services be sent to the hotel urgently. He expressed concern for the guest’s life, requesting a room with a balcony, highlighting the fear that Liam might do something that would endanger his own life.
Dialogue from the call:
- Receptionist: “Good afternoon, emergency.”
- Operator: “Hello, good day. I just called and it was cut off. I’m calling from the CasaSur Palermo hotel, Costa Rica 6032.”
- Operator: “What’s happening there, sir?”
- Receptionist: “Well, we have a guest who is overdoing it with drugs and alcohol. And, well, he is… When he is conscious, he breaks things, he’s destroying the entire room. And we need you to send someone, please.”
- Operator: “Under the influence of alcohol and drugs, right, sir?”
- Receptionist: “Yes, correct.”
- Operator: “Costa Rica told me, what height, sir? Excuse me.”
- Receptionist: “Costa Rica 6032.”
- Operator: “This belongs to the capital, right? Between Arévalo and Chalmer.”
- Receptionist: “Yes.”
- Operator: “What is the name of the hotel?”
- Receptionist: “Casa Sur Palermo. And we need you to send someone urgently because, well, I don’t know if the guest’s life is at risk. We need a room with a balcony. And, well, we are a bit afraid that he will do something that puts his life in danger.”
- Operator: “How long has he been there? Is it a residential hotel?”
- Receptionist: “No, no, he has been here for two or three days.”
- Operator: “Understood. There wouldn’t be any details because they can’t add more?”
- Receptionist: “No.”
- Operator: “I’ve notified the SAME people as well, understood?”
- Receptionist: “Yes, what I’m asking is if someone can come urgently because, well…”
- Operator: “It has been notified in the call. Any other information to share with us? Who would you be? Responsible?”
- Receptionist: “I am the head of reception.”
- Operator: “He would be in charge of the place, right?”
- Receptionist: “Yes, yes.”
- Operator: “Already notified. What’s your last name, sir?”
- Receptionist: “Estêvão.”
- Operator: “I’ve notified. Please wait on the line.”
- Receptionist: “OK.”
- Operator: “Thank you for contacting. Can you release the line?”
- Receptionist: “Will they also send the police or not?”
- Operator: “The police from what commune? Give me a second to check… Commune 14 and SAME?”
- Receptionist: “No, no, no. Just for SAME. Just for SAME.”
- Operator: “Understood. Don’t worry, this has been reported anyway.”
- Receptionist: “OK, great. Well, thank you very much.”
- Operator: “Since you’re telling me he is under the influence of alcohol and drugs, SAME doesn’t go in alone.”
- Receptionist: “Doesn’t ONLY SAME go in?”
- Operator: “No.”
- Receptionist: “OK.”
- Operator: “It’s still notified. Maybe if you arrive, the police personnel will explain to you, and if you need SAME, they will let you know.”
- Receptionist: “Well, OK. Perfect.”
- Operator: “The same has been notified. Have a good day, sir.”
- Receptionist: “Well, thank you. Likewise.”
The timeline of events unfolded rapidly. The call to 911 occurred at around 5:04 PM, and minutes later, emergency teams were dispatched. At 5:05 PM, mobile services were en route to the hotel, and shortly thereafter, a new report informed of a “man who fell from the third floor.” The sequence of events was as follows:
- 5:04 PM: Call to 911, where the receptionist reported a guest was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, causing damage.
- 5:05 PM: Mobile teams were sent to Casa Sur Palermo hotel.
- 5:07 PM: Report of an incident with a “man fallen from the third floor” and a request for SAME (Emergency Medical Service) as a priority.
- 5:12 PM: Start of sending firefighters to the scene.
- 6:10 PM: The Municipal Police confirmed the death of Liam Payne.
At 6:10 PM, the Municipal Police announced that “British musician Liam James Payne, songwriter, and guitarist, former member of One Direction, died today after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Costa Rica, at 6000 in Palermo.” The report added: “In the afternoon, police from District 14B were sent to the Casa Sur hotel after a 911 call reported an aggressive man who might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
“When the police arrived, the manager said he heard a loud noise from the hotel’s internal back area, and when the police arrived, they confirmed the death of a man who had jumped from his room’s balcony,” the final report continued: “SAME confirmed the death. The Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 16, led by Dr. Madrea, ordered the presence of the Criminalistics Unit and the transfer of the body to the morgue.”
After the tragic incident, the Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 16 began an investigation under the leadership of Dr. Madrea. Authorities sent a criminalistics unit to the scene, and Liam’s body was transferred to the morgue. The situation generated significant media coverage, and the singer’s fans are mourning the loss of the artist, remembering his career and achievements during his time with One Direction.
The circumstances surrounding Liam Payne’s death remain unclear, and investigations are seeking to clarify the details that led to this tragedy. The receptionist’s report and police information will be crucial in understanding what really happened on that fateful day in Palermo. In this moment of loss, fans and colleagues mourn the death of the musician, who left an indelible mark on the music industry and in the hearts of many. Liam’s loss serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health and well-being, especially for those under intense pressure in the entertainment industry.