One Direction bandmates are ‘completely devastated’ after the loss of their dear friend Liam Payne. In a heartfelt joint statement signed by Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles, they said, ‘When the time is right, we’ll have more to say.’
The pop sensation, who skyrocketed to fame on The X Factor in 2010, tragically passed away after a fall from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina, according to local police.
Earlier, Payne’s family expressed their heartbreak, remembering him as a ‘kind, funny, and brave soul’ following his death at age 31.
‘We’re supporting each other as best as we can and kindly ask for privacy at this awful time,’ they shared.
As one of five members of One Direction, Payne was more than just a bandmate—he was a brother. ‘We need time to process the loss of someone we loved deeply,’ said the band, adding, ‘We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.’
Harry Styles took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute, posting a photo of Liam and saying he ‘lived life wide open, heart on his sleeve.’ Styles added, ‘The years we spent together will always be some of the most cherished of my life. I’ll miss you forever, my lovely friend.’
Louis Tomlinson also paid a separate tribute, thanking Payne for being ‘the brother I always longed for.’ He reflected on their memories, adding, ‘If Bear [Liam’s son] ever needs me, I’ll be the uncle he can count on, sharing stories of how incredible his dad was.’
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Zayn Malik, who left the band in 2015, shared an emotional post with an old photo of him and Payne asleep in a car. ‘I lost a brother when you left, and I’d give anything to hug you one last time,’ he wrote.
Local authorities revealed Payne was alone at the time of the fall in Buenos Aires, and while they found alcohol and a phone nearby, there’s no evidence of foul play.
Medication was also discovered in his room.
The police confirmed Payne died at the scene and there were no signs of third-party involvement.
Following a statement from the chief of Buenos Aires emergency services, which confirmed Liam Payne's death was caused by ‘a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries,’ a new autopsy report rThe members of One Direction are "completely devastated" by the loss of their close friend and former bandmate, Liam Payne.
In a joint statement signed by Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles, they expressed, “When the time is right, we’ll have more to say.”evealed that the head trauma was fatal.
The report has sparked an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of his fall.
Substances discovered in Payne's hotel room point to potential alcohol and drug use. The autopsy concluded that Payne succumbed to ‘multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.’
Authorities are investigating the incident as a ‘questionable death.’ According to a post-autopsy report shared on October 17, translated from Spanish by Rolling Stone, ‘Although all signs suggest the musician was alone at the time of the fall, he was experiencing some sort of outbreak from substance abuse.’
Meanwhile, according to a source who spoke to the Daily Mail, Taylor Swift, who had a deep affection for Liam, is ‘distraught’ over the news and plans to pay tribute to the late singer during the opening night of the final leg of her Eras Tour.
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