Liam Payne ‘Looked Like a Broken Man’ at Last Meeting with Source Who Had Known Him as Teen ‘Full of Energy’ (Exclusive)

According to a source who knew him as a teen “full of energy,” Liam Payne “looked like a broken man” during their final meeting, which occurred before he died on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The insider, who first met the One Direction alum during their X Factor days, described Payne back then as “a young boy, leaping around everywhere with the band, full of energy, jumping on seats and throwing cushions.”

After meeting with the “Sunshine” singer before Christmas in 2023, the source says they “noticed a real difference” in him.

“He just looked like a broken man,” they said. “Like all his energy had gone.”

The insider added that Payne “mumbled when he spoke” and was “a completely different person.”

The British singer was pronounced dead after falling several stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE.

Per a 911 call translated by publications including Sky News and the BBC, the hotel’s chief receptionist spoke to police after becoming worried about Payne’s behavior.

A translation of a La Nacion transcript said that the employee presumed Payne (who was not identified by name on the call) was “under the influence of alcohol and drugs” and insisted that someone needed to come “urgently” to the location.

The worker also mentioned that Payne’s life might be “in danger” because he was “in a room with a balcony,” per Sky News.

“We’re afraid he could do something that threatens his life,” said the manager — who said his name was “Esteban” — according to the outlet.

According to the BBC transcript, the employee said Payne had been “trashing the entire room” before his death. Photos alleged to be of his hotel room obtained by various outlets show drug paraphernalia and a smashed television.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, a preliminary autopsy revealed that Payne died from multiple injuries and “internal and external” hemorrhages after falling from his hotel balcony, the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE.

The prosecutor’s office handling the case says a toxicology report remains pending.