Louis Tomlinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his bandmate Liam Payne following his death aged 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.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Louis said he was “beyond devastated” by his friend’s death and said he will “always be an uncle” to the late singer’s eight-year-old son, Bear.
‘I am beyond devastated to write this, but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was someone I looked up to every day, a very positive, fun and kind soul.
‘I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, his voice instantly surprised me but, more importantly, as time went on I got the chance to see the kind brother I had longed for all my life.
Louis Tomlinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his bandmate and ‘brother’ Liam Payne, following his death aged 31.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Louis said he was “beyond devastated” by his friend’s death and said he will “always be an uncle” to the late singer’s eight-year-old son, Bear.
“Liam was an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody, we often talked about going back into the studio together to try to recreate the writing chemistry we had built in the band.
And for the record, Liam was, in my opinion, the most vital part of One Direction. His experience since childhood, his perfect tone, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for molding us Liam.
‘A message for 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’ve gotten even closer since we formed the band, talking on the phone for hours, remembering the thousands of incredible 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 didn’t happen that way.
‘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 wonderful his father was.
‘I wish I had the chance to say goodbye and tell you once again 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 can do it, 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, whom we love very much.
‘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 prosecutors revealed today that Payne, 31, may have been “semi-conscious or completely unconscious” when he fell from a hotel balcony.
The star fell 45 feet from the third floor to the patio of the Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina’s capital yesterday, before doctors confirmed his death.
Detectives confirmed that a series of substances “indicating a previous situation of alcohol and drug consumption” were seized in the hotel room.
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 accompanied by his girlfriend Amelia Woolley on a walk in London.
Before Payne’s death, hotel staff frantically called 911 regarding “an aggressive man who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol” who was “trashing up his room.”
Hotel guests reported hearing “violent noises” and assumed construction work was going on in the room, according to the BBC.
Photos have also emerged from the interior of his luxury suite, which appear to show a smashed television, surfaces covered in aluminum foil and white dust, as well as burn marks on the wooden surface.
A preliminary report into the pop star’s death said “every indication” is that Payne was alone when he died.