Liam Payne's close friend reveals final messages he sent her before death, says 'he looked happy'

LONDON, ENGLAND: Liam Payne, 31, tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday afternoon, October 16.

Payne, a former member of 'One Direction', had been in the city for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan's tour.

His sudden death left many in shock, including his longtime friend Jodie Richards, who shared the last messages they exchanged just hours before he died.

Richards, who taught Payne at her performing arts company Pink Productions in Wolverhampton, described their conversation, revealing that nothing seemed out of the ordinary in his behavior.

Jodie Richards recalls her final conversation with Liam Payne

Jodie Richards revealed details about their final exchanges leading up to his death. Payne had reached out to her on Monday, October 14, sending her a message asking what she was up to.

"He messaged me to ask what I was doing. I replied, saying I was with my son, Jackson, at a gym, and Liam replied 'Nice,'" Richards recalled, SKY News reports.

Later, Payne sent Richards a photo of himself sitting on his bed in his hotel room, with his hand on his forehead. Richards responded, "Sorry, just home x."

Early on Wednesday morning, October 16, just hours before his death, Payne messaged Richards again, asking if she was awake. They continued to chat, with Payne mentioning that he was "chilling" in Argentina.

"He was looking forward to his day," Richards said, adding, "He said he was having a chill, nothing seemed out of the ordinary." She shared that they had been friends for years and spoke "near enough every day."

Liam Payne was 'in a good place' before his tragic death

Liam Payne's sudden death shocked Jodie Richards as well as fans worldwide.

His autopsy revealed that he died instantly after suffering multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, due to the fall.

"I thought it was fake news," Richards said about learning of Payne's death. She explained that she tried to call him and text him, but her messages weren’t delivered.

The Associated Press, citing a police statement, reported that Payne "had jumped from the balcony of his room."

Authorities had been alerted by a 911 call about an "aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

According to a 911 call transcript, the hotel's chief receptionist, identified as Esteban, expressed concern that Payne was "trashing the entire room," according to BBC.

Emergency services confirmed that Payne died instantly from the severe injuries he sustained in the fall.

Jodie Richards reflects on Liam Payne's state of mind before his death

Jodie Richards shared that Liam Payne appeared to be in a good place before his death. "He seemed fine, he looked happy, he looked healthy—no reason for any kind of concern," she said.

Richards added that Payne had a supportive family, including his parents and two sisters, and that he spoke highly of Cheryl Tweedy, his ex-partner with who he shares a son named Bear Payne.

He also had a girlfriend and a promising career ahead of him.

"It's a wicked waste of a life," Richards said, adding "He had a future ahead of him. It's a real tragedy not only for us as friends and family but the whole world who know him as a celebrity and a pop singer."

Reflecting on their friendship, she said, "He was always there at times I needed him, even though he wasn’t local. As far as I’m concerned, he was in a good place with everything going on in his personal life and his career."

In the final moments before Payne’s death, nothing seemed amiss. "He looked happy," Richards said, adding "It's a tragedy."