Sydney schoolgirls face backlash for mocking Liam Payne’s tragic death in viral TikTok

The tragic death of Liam Payne at the age of 31 has left fans devastated, but outrage followed when a TikTok video surfaced showing a group of Sydney students cruelly mocking the former One Direction star’s passing.

Payne, who reportedly fell from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening, suffered "very serious injuries," according to Buenos Aires police.

In the video, one girl is heard shouting, "Liam Payne died," to which another responds, "That's a funny joke." 

The students proceed to mock the fall by pretending to jump off a balcony, with one lying on the ground to imitate Payne’s fatal fall. This disturbing display quickly went viral after being shared in 'The Virtual Hangout' Facebook group, where users expressed their disgust.

"That's absolutely disgusting behavior. I reported them a few times. Hopefully it gets removed," one user commented. 

Another echoed the sentiment, saying, "Some people have absolutely no respect for human life, and it shows." Another user simply said, "Yikes, that's f**ked." 

Following Payne’s death, police confirmed that they had received a 911 call regarding "an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol." 

Hotel staff reported hearing a loud sound in the courtyard, where Payne’s body was found shortly after 5 p.m.

In 2021, Payne openly discussed his battles with mental health and substance abuse during an appearance on 'The Diary of a CEO' podcast, saying, "I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where's rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I'm very good at hiding it. No one would ever have seen it." 

He also spoke about the toll it took on his mental health, adding, "It was really, really, really severe. It was a problem. And it was only until I saw myself after that I was like, 'Right, I need to fix myself.'"

As fans and loved ones continue to mourn Payne’s passing, many gathered outside the Buenos Aires hotel to light candles and pay tribute to the beloved singer. Payne, who rose to fame as part of One Direction, was known for his contribution to the global boy band sensation that captured the hearts of millions worldwide.