LIAM Payne's heartbroken friends were so worried about the star's excessive drink and alleged drug use that they were planning an intervention, a source has revealed.
A close pal told The Sun they'd reached out to him to suggest he get help on the day of his death but this only seemed to exacerbate his erratic behaviour.
Liam, 31, fell to his death from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday afternoon.
Champagne, prescription drugs, white powder and foil wraps were all found in Liam's trashed hotel room after he fell from the balcony at around 5pm (9pm UK time).
Fellow hotel guests revealed the star had been acting in a "disturbing" manner shortly before his fall, with Liam admitting to one woman: "I used to be in a boy band - that's why I'm so f**ked up."
Friends said Liam had been in a dark place in the past few weeks and turned to drink as he struggled with his career and other personal issues.
Liam's record label Universal also reportedly dropped the star just a few days ago.
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A source told The Sun exclusively: "His friends have been worried about him for weeks because he was struggling with his career and wanted to release some new music but he felt he wasn't as good as his other bandmates, which they kept telling him just wasn't true. He was just always so hard on himself.
"Then in recent weeks his drinking and suspected drug use started to worry his friends, they were actually planning an intervention, it was that bad.
"They were heartbroken seeing him this way - but just didn't know how to go about staging a proper intervention.
"They've been worried sick about him, he's just been in a bad place for the past few weeks. Lots of his friends had been telling him gently to get professional help or go to rehab but he just wouldn't listen.
"The day of his death he was acting very off and erratically. One of his friends suggested to him again that he should get help but this just seemed to set him off more.
"Everyone is just distraught - their only comfort is that police have said he would have died instantly in the fall so he wouldn't have suffered."
Dad-of-one Liam was in the Argentinian capital for his bandmate Niall Horan's tour when he died.
His girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, had been with him on the trip but reportedly returned home to Florida two days before his death.
Emergency services in Buenos Aires confirmed he died instantly from fatal injuries to his skull.
An autopsy found Liam's severe injuries led to "internal and external haemorrhaging".
Police said they found what appeared to be "narcotics, alcohol, destroyed objects and furniture" in his hotel room as well as over the counter and prescription drugs.
Results from a toxicology report are pending.
In recent weeks his drinking and suspected drug use started to worry his loved ones, they were actually planning an intervention, it was that bad.
Source
Witnesses said they saw Liam "causing a disturbance" minutes before he died.
Hotel guest Brett Watson told that he saw Liam appear to pass out before being physically removed from the lobby and taken back to his room.
Staff then made a 911 call telling cops that they needed "urgent assistance" with a guest who was "behaving erratically".
They reported that the guest was "destroying everything in his room" according to recordings of the call.
Argentinian prosecutors said they had spoken to two women who were allegedly with him the night before his death, though it's believed the pair left the hotel without him earlier on Wednesday after waiting for him in the lobby, local news outlet reported.
Liam's One Direction bandmates said they were "devastated" by his death.
In a joint statement they said: "In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly."
In a separate statement, bandmate Harry Styles said Liam's "greatest joy was making people happy" while Louis Tomlinson said "he was the kind of brother I'd longed for".
Liam's family said also paid tribute to the "kind, funny and brave soul".
The star leaves behind a seven-year-old son named Bear, whom he had with Cheryl Cole.
Crowds of mourning fans gathered outside the hotel to pay their respects to the pop star, who skyrocketed to fame aged just 16 in the X Factor in 2010.
The Sun has reached out to Liam's rep for comment.
We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. - Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: "His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
"Thank you for shaping us Liam.
"I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
"I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you."
Zayn Malik said: "Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
"I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
"When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved."
He added: "When it came to the music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense.
"I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly.
"I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever".
Harry Styles wrote: "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing.
"His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
"He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
"The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
"My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did."
And Niall Horan wrote: "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
"Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
"All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
"We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.
"I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking.
"My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear."
