Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik released a joint statement on Thursday to address the tragic death of their former bandmate Payne, after he was announced to have died at the age of 31.
“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.”
The statement was signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
In a separate post on his personal social media, Styles said he was “devastated” by Payne’s passing.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” Styles wrote. “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.”
His statement concluded, “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.”
Tomlinson called Payne “my boy, one of my best friends, my brother.”
In a lengthy tribute, the singer added that he is “beyond devastated” to have lost his bandmate, who “was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody,” and that “we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.”
He continued, “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,” then adding, “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.”
Tomlinson ended with a message to Payne’s son, Bear: “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.”
Malik also posted a tribute to Payne , writing on social media that he has found himself talking out loud to his late friend, “hoping you can hear me” and that “I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.”
The singer’s statement continued, “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 yr 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. Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated and gave no fucks about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.”
Malik went on to honor Payne’s musical talents, saying the late singer was “the most qualified in every sense” and that “I knew nothing in comparison, l was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional and I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.”
He finished his tribute by writing, “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. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.”
While competing individually on the U.K. X-Factor in 2010, Payne was among those chosen to formulate the boy band that would become One Direction alongside Styles, Malik, Horan and Tomlinson. The band went on to become a global sensation, becoming one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, achieving hit songs including “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” “Little Things” and “Steal My Girl.” One Direction released five albums, Up All Night (2011), Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014) and Made in the A.M. (2015). Malik departed the band in 2015 to pursue a solo career. The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
Payne later signed to Capitol Records U.K. as a solo artist in 2016 and released his debut single “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo in 2017.
Payne died in Buenos Aires, Argentina , on Wednesday after falling from the Casa Sur Hotel balcony. The officials say Payne’s fall resulted in “extremely serious injuries,” and medics confirmed his death on the spot. The Buenos Aires Security Ministry later told The Associated Press that police responded to an emergency call warning of an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Just before midnight, the doctors reported that “the cause of death of Liam James Payne, determined macroscopically, has been polytrauma, internal and external hemorrhage,” according to a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter by Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 14.
The prosecutor’s office said in its press release that Payne “was going through some kind of outbreak due to substance abuse” and as a matter of protocol, the circumstances of his death will be investigated as a “doubtful death,” even though it seems that the musician was alone when the fall occurred.
In the days prior to his death, Payne was photographed and videoed at Horan’s concert in South America.
Payne’s family released a statement , according to the BBC . “We are heartbroken,” his relatives, including mother Karen and father Geoff, said. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
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