Fans honor Liam Payne with memorial bench in Buenos Aires

Fans of British singer Liam Payne on Sunday inaugurated a bench in his honor in the British Cemetery of Buenos Aires, where the former One Direction singer died after falling from the third floor of the hotel where he was staying.

Benches in British parks and public spaces are often dedicated to lost loved ones, sometimes with personal, moving, or funny inscriptions.

"You and me got a whole lot of history, so don't let it go, we can make some more, we can live forever, Liam," the inscription read in English, a reference quoting the lyrics of One Direction song "History".

"It means a lot for the fans to have a place and bench in Liam's name here," 26-year-old fan Luana Bustamante said at the ceremony, which took place on a cloudy day and during which attendees placed a photo of Payne and flowers on the bench.

A priest was also present to give blessings.

In this screen grab from the video, a plate with a tribute message to the late British singer Liam Payne is seen on a bench unveiled by 'One Direction' fans at the British Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 16, 2025. REUTERS/Reuters TV

"This is where Liam spent his last days in Argentina, in the chapel here, which served as a refuge before he was repatriated to his native country," Bustamante said.

The 31-year-old artist was found dead on October 16. According to the investigation, Payne died from multiple trauma and internal bleeding due to the fall.

His body rested for some time in the British Cemetery but was handed over to his family on November 6 after the judicial system completed the toxicology and laboratory reports.

Fans also inaugurated a red mailbox to send messages to Payne's family.

"We know how many girls are going to come here and want to leave a message for the family," said Lucia Esquivel, 24. "If possible, we want to send them through the person in charge of the cemetery to the United Kingdom."

"We hope with all our hearts this can be done," she said.