Key Points
- Singer Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires.
- Police said he was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel.
- The 31-year-old rose to fame as part of the boy band One Direction.
Liam Payne's former One Direction bandmates have following the singer's death.
The 31-year-old was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, police have confirmed.
In a statement, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles said they were 'completely devastated' by the news.
"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 statement said.
"The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.
Singer Liam Payne rose to fame as a member of British boy band One Direction. Source: Getty / Dave J Hogan
"We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam."
In a separate statement, Tomlinson said he had looked up to Payne.
He described his former bandmate as 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," Tomlinson wrote.
"Liam was an incredible songwriter 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."
Louis Tomlinson has posted a tribute to his former bandmate Liam Payne. Source: AAP / Ian West/PA
He then addressed Payne directly.
"I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye," he wrote.
"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."
Harry Styles: 'I will miss him always'
Styles later posted , saying Payne's "greatest joy" was making other people happy.
"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious," Styles wrote.
"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."
In a post on social media, Malik said there were "so many conversations left to have" with his friend.
He said Payne had supported him through some of the most difficult times in his life, and had always offered a "positive outlook and reassuring smile".
"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," he wrote.
"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."
Liam Payne, right, became famous as a teenager with his One Direction bandmates. Source: AAP / Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Niall Horan: 'We got to live out our wildest dreams'
Horan said his friend's death "just doesn't feel real."
"All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness," he wrote on social media.
"We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime."
Horan, whose concert Payne had attended in Buenos Aires, reflected on his final moments with his friend.
"I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently," Horan wrote.
"I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking."
Circumstances surrounding death of former One Direction star Liam Payne
Citing officials, leading local newspapers La Nacion and Clarin reported that police were called to the hotel in the capital's Palermo neighbourhood responding to an emergency call that cited "an aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol".
Payne was found in an interior hotel patio, according to the news reports.
Preliminary autopsy results found he died from internal and external bleeding and trauma.
Fans of Liam Payne have set up a memorial for the singer in Buenos Aires. Credit: EMIL NICOLAI HELMS/EPA
"It's a lovely day here in Argentina," he said in the video.
Argentine media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.
Who was Liam Payne?
Born in the English city of Wolverhampton, Payne rose to global fame as part of the since-disbanded pop band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
The boy band got its start after finishing third on the British version of the X Factor music competition show in 2010.
Payne initially auditioned as a solo act but was given a second chance to come back as part of a group at Bootcamp, forming what would become one of the talent show's biggest success stories.
One Direction became one of the biggest pop groups in the world with five albums, four world tours and one movie, and sold more than 20 million albums.
The group broke up in 2016 as its members pursued different projects, including solo careers.
Liam Payne, second from right, rose to fame as a One Direction member. Source: AP / Jonathan Short
He released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019 which included the singles Polaroid and Familiar.
The musician has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health and using alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame.
Payne had a son, Bear, in 2017 with former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole.
'A joy to be around'
Fans and celebrities have started paying tributes to the singer on social media.
"So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing," Paris Hilton wrote on X.
"Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend."
Journalist Dan Wootton described Payne's death as an "appalling tragedy and a waste of life", and said the singer was a "joy to be around".
The official X account for the BRIT Awards posted: "We're incredibly sad to learn of the tragic passing of Liam Payne."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this time."
DJ and music producer Zedd called the news "absolutely heartbreaking".
Former X-Factor contestant Rylan said Payne's death was "so tragic", while singing duo Jedward sent their love to his young son Bear and family.
A statement on MTV's official social media accounts said: "We're deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne's tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved ones, and fans."
Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at .
supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
