(KTLA/NEXSTAR) – Liam Payne’s former bandmates in One Direction have shared a statement on the 31-year-old singer’s death in Argentina, calling him a brother who they “loved dearly.”
“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,” reads a joint statement from Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, which was shared to Instagram Thursday.
“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,” the group added.
The message was signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
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Individually, Payne’s former bandmates have also begun sharing their own personal tributes.
Bandmate Harry Styles posted to Instagram a photo of Payne on stage, accompanied by a single heart in the caption. The photo of Payne is accompanied by a personal statement from Styles reading, in part: “I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing… The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”
Bandmate Louis Tomlinson posted a separate tribute to Payne on Instagram, writing, in part: “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.”
Tomlinson then wrote a message for Payne saying that he was “beyond lucky” to have had him in his life. He also said he’d be the uncle that Payne’s son “needs in his life.”
Meanwhile, bandmate Zayn Malik posted an old photo on Instagram of the two during their teenage years, asleep on the road. “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 and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” Malik wrote. “(I) will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.”
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Payne died Wednesday in Buenos Aires, after falling from the third story of his hotel room.
The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation. On Wednesday, Reuters, citing the local outlet La Nacion, reported that police had been called to the hotel prior to Payne’s death after receiving a report concerning an “aggressive man” believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said the responding police officers arrived to find Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard.
Authorities said Payne did suffer “very serious injuries” in the fall and “there was no possibility of resuscitation.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details from his autopsy, released Thursday, said Payne died from “multiple traumas” and “internal and external hemorrhage” after he fell from the balcony of a third-story room of the Casa Sur hotel.
The coroners noted Payne suffered 25 injuries causing internal and external hemorrhages “in the skull, thorax, abdomen and limbs,” including injuries to his head that would have been fatal on their own.
“Given the position in which the body was left and the injuries from the fall, it is presumed that Payne did not adopt a reflex posture to protect himself and that he could have fallen into a state of semi- or total unconsciousness,” prosecutors added.
The “Get Low” singer had previously been vocal about struggling with alcoholism, posting a video in July 2023 to his YouTube channel where he said he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment. Representatives for Payne did not immediately return emails and calls.
Payne was 31 years old. He leaves behind a 7-year-old son.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
