Louis Tomlinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to bandmate Liam Payne, after his death at the age of 31.
The One Direction star plunged 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 to Instagram, Louis said he was ‘beyond devastated’ by his friend’s death, and said that he will ‘always be an uncle’ for the late singer’s eight-year-old son Bear.
‘I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such 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.
Louis Tomlinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his bandmate and ‘brother’ Liam Payne, after his death at the age of 31
In a statement shared to Instagram, Louis said he was ‘beyond devastated’ by his friend’s death, and said that he will ‘always be an uncle’ for the late singer’s eight-year-old son Bear
‘Liam was an incredible song writer 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.
‘And for the record, 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.
‘A message to 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 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.
‘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. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.’
Louis shared the moving post along with a snap of himself and Liam performing together in 2015, before One Direction announced their hiatus the following year.
Just minutes later, Zayn Malik also took to social media to share his own lengthy tribute, with a sweet snap of himself and Liam asleep together
In his tribute, Zayn wrote: ‘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’
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
Just minutes later, Zayn Malik also took to social media to share his own lengthy tribute, with a sweet snap of himself and Liam askleep together.
He wrote: ‘Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
‘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-year-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 f**ks about telling people they were wrong.
‘Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.
‘When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense, I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child, with no experience and you were already a professional.
‘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.
‘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.’
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.
‘In time, and when everyone is able to, 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, 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 – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’
Argentina’s prosecutor’s office revealed earlier today that Payne, 31, may have been ‘semi-conscious or completely unconscious’ when he fell from a hotel balcony.
The star plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina’s capital yesterday, before medics confirmed his death.
Detectives confirmed that a series of substances were seized from the hotel room ‘indicating previous situation of alcohol and drug consumption’.
It comes as:
Niall looked devastated on Thursday as he was pictured for the first time since Payne’s death.
Liam plunged from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday, and died instantly from multiple injuries
The This Town hitmaker who Liam had seen in concert in Argentina just days before he died, was joined by his girlfriend Amelia Woolley on a walk in London.
Prior to Payne’s death, hotel staff franticly called 911 regarding ‘an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol’ who was ‘smashing up his room’.
Hotel guests claimed to hear ‘violent noises’, and assumed there was construction work was ongoing in the room, according to the BBC.
Photos have also emerged from inside his luxury suite, appearing to show a trashed television, surfaces covered with tin foil and white powder as well as scorch marks on the wooden surface.
A preliminary report into the popstar’s death said ‘everything indicates’ Payne was alone when he died.
Prosecutors have taken five statements from witnesses including from two women who were with Payne the night before he died.
Police had been searching for the duo having identified them as ‘key witnesses’ before the One Direction star’s hotel balcony fall.
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