Louis Tomlinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to bandmate Liam Payne, after his death at the age of 31.
The One Direction star plunged from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday, and died instantly from multiple injuries.
In a statement shared to Instagram, Louis said he was ‘beyond devastated’ by his friend’s death, and said that he will ‘always be an uncle’ for the late singer’s eight-year-old son Bear.
‘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.
‘I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.
Louis Tomlinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his bandmate and ‘brother’ Liam Payne, after his death at the age of 31
In a statement shared to Instagram, Louis said he was ‘beyond devastated’ by his friend’s death, and said that he will ‘always be an uncle’ for the late singer’s eight-year-old son Bear
‘Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
‘And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. 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.
‘A message to you Liam if you’re listening: I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye.
‘I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.
‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
‘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 chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X
It came after the band broke their silence to share a joint statement following Liam’s passing, saying they were ‘completely devastated’ by his death.
It came after the band broke their silence to share a joint statement following Liam’s passing, saying they were ‘completely devastated’ by Liam’s death
‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.
‘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.’
Argentina’s prosecutor’s office revealed earlier today that Payne, 31, may have been ‘semi-conscious or completely unconscious’ when he fell from a hotel balcony.
The star plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina’s capital yesterday, before medics confirmed his death.
Detectives confirmed that a series of substances were seized from the hotel room ‘indicating previous situation of alcohol and drug consumption’.
Niall looked devastated today as he was pictured for the first time since Payne’s death.
The This Town hitmaker, 31, who Payne had seen in concert in Argentina just days before he died, was joined by his girlfriend Amelia Woolley on a walk in London.
Prior to Payne’s death, hotel staff franticly called 911 regarding ‘an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol’ who was ‘smashing up his room’.
Hotel guests claimed to hear ‘violent noises’, and assumed there was construction work was ongoing in the room, according to the BBC.
Photos have also emerged from inside his luxury suite, appearing to show a trashed television, surfaces covered with tin foil and white powder as well as scorch marks on the wooden surface.
A preliminary report into the popstar’s death said ‘everything indicates’ Payne was alone when he died.
