Liam Payne’s former drama teacher has shared that she felt “humiliated” to have known the singer from a young age, following his tragic death at the age of 31.
The One Direction star fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday and died instantly from multiple injuries.
Speaking to ITN on Thursday, teacher Jodie Richards said she always remembers Liam’s “silly jokes” and recalled the hilarious moment he excitedly brought his new pet turtle to school.
She said: ‘I want everyone to see how the music industry changed, they were the first boy band to form and go global.
“And I want people to remember him for what he contributed to the music industry and all the good things he’s done for charity.”
Liam Payne’s former drama teacher has shared that she felt “humiliated” to have known the singer from a young age, following his tragic death at the age of 31.
The One Direction star died after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (pictured in a Snapchat post hours before his death)
I will remember him for all the silly jokes he told me. I remember him coming here for rehearsals and he was desperate to have a terrapin for his birthday.
And his mother had bought him a turtle and he wanted to show everyone the turtle he had.
“I remember he brought it to me and I was so excited, but they live for 25 to 30 minutes, so it was like ‘there you go, but it has to go now because it can only be out of the water for an hour.'” So I just In the fun moments I will always remember it.
“He was my friend and so I will have those memories for a lifetime. I feel honored to have him in my life, in many different ways, but I feel honored that he was my friend.”
It comes as it was revealed that police investigating Liam’s death are searching for two “key witnesses” who could be among the last people to see him alive.
Liam died instantly after suffering multiple injuries that caused “internal and external hemorrhages” when he fell from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday.
Argentine investigators are now searching for two women who spent time with Payne at the Casa Sur hotel the night before his shocking death.
Both women are said to have left the hotel yesterday after waiting for the star in the lobby, reports Argentine outlet Infobae.
There is no indication the women may be involved in his death, but police hope to help piece together Payne’s final moments before he fell to his death around 5pm local time.
Speaking to ITN, teacher Jodie Richards said she always remembers Liam’s ‘silly pranks’ and recalled the time he brought his new pet turtle to school (Liam appears in a childhood photo).
She said: “He was my friend and that’s why I will have those memories, for life, I feel honored to have him in my life” (Liam appears in a childhood photo)
Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, had returned to Florida four days before his death and told her followers she “just needed to get home” after her planned “five-day trip” was extended to two weeks.
As more details emerge from the hours before Payne’s death, a hotel guest who was staying at the same hotel as Payne recalled hearing “violent noises.”
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It comes after Argentine media, including major newspapers, published worrying images believed to have been taken from Payne’s suite showing white dust, burnt aluminum foil and a shattered television screen.
Payne was found dead by police, who say they found the pop star’s medications, including clonazepam, a drug used to control epilepsy, involuntary muscle spasms and panic disorders.
There was a frantic 911 call from hotel staff about “an aggressive man who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol” who was “trashing up his room” minutes before he died.
It comes as it was revealed that police investigating Liam’s death are searching for two ‘key witnesses’ who could be among the last people to see him alive (pictured in Argentina).
Payne had arrived in South America with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy on September 30 and stayed in Argentina for two weeks after only planning to spend “five days” there.
During his long trip, Payne reunited with Niall Horan after going to see his former bandmate perform at the Movistar Arena, Buenos Aires, on October 2.
On October 12, Katie, 25, returned home to Florida after saying “I just need to go home” in a TikTok video, with Payne staying and checking into the £230-a-night Casa Sur hotel alone.
Just 48 hours before his death, on October 14, it emerged that Payne’s ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, had initiated legal proceedings against Payne, accusing him of obsessive touching and “weaponizing his fans” against her. .
Liam’s family have said they are “heartbroken” by his death aged 31, adding that the former One Direction star will “live forever in our hearts”.
A statement from the family said: ‘We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we will remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. “We support each other as best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this terrible time.”
Payne’s uncle Roger Harris also told MailOnline this afternoon: “We are all deeply saddened and trying to come to terms with it.” I just hope everyone gives them some privacy and lets them accept it. That’s all I can say.