"I lost a brother"— Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson post heartfelt tributes to Liam Payne
British singer Liam Payne died after he fell off the balcony of his room on the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The 31-year-old suffered 25 traumatic injuries and internal bleeding, which led to his death, according to the Argentine public prosecutor.
When his former One Direction bandmates learned about his death, they took to social media to express their grief. Apart from a collective post by the band on their official Instagram page, the band members also posted their own tributes to Liam.
Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson took to Instagram on Thursday to pen down emotional tributes to their former band member. Malik reminisced on his relationship with Payne and how his "positive outlook and reassuring smile" made him feel loved when he missed home when they were younger.
He also shared an old picture of the two of them sleeping and wrote that he "secretly respected" Payne for butting heads with him. As he praised the singer's talents, Zayn wrote that he wished he could have hugged Liam one last time.
"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," Zayn wrote.
Malik also said that he would cherish all his memories with Liam Payne and hoped that his bandmate was "at peace wherever he was."
Meanwhile, their other One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson took to Instagram to share a picture of the two on stage along with a lengthy caption. He mentioned that he was "beyond devastated" to have to write about losing a "brother."
"I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul," he wrote
Louis Tomlinson and One Direction also shared tributes after Liam Payne's death
When fans and One Direction members learned of Liam Payne's death in Argentina on Wednesday, they took to social media to express their devastation.
In his post, Louis Tomlinson, who co-wrote some of One Direction's tracks with Payne, praised his former bandmate's talents. He added that Payne was "the most vital part of One Direction," in his opinion, and that he was an "incredible songwriter."
"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."
Tomlinson also addressed Payne in the caption and stated that he felt "beyond lucky" to have had the late singer in his life. He said that he had lost hope of wanting to share the stage with "one of [his] best friends (Payne)." He then promised that he would be there for Liam's son, Bear, if he needed him, adding that he will tell the child stories of "how amazing his dad was."
Tomlinson and Malik's tribute came along with One Direction's group statement, shared via their official Instagram handle. The four remaining members of One Direction—Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik signed the heartfelt message.
'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 love dearly," the message read.
The rest of the members also shared their memories with Liam Payne and said that he "will be treasured forever."
Buenos Aires police and medics confirmed Liam Payne's death after falling off the third floor of Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He reportedly suffered "extremely serious injuries" from the fall, per the Associated Press.
Medical examiners have listed Liam Payne's cause of death as "internal and external bleeding" and "multiple trauma." His toxicology test is still pending and will remain so for at least several weeks.
