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18th October 2024
12:17am BST
Singer Harry Styles has penned an emotional tribute to his bandmate and friend Liam Payne.
The As It Was singer shared an individual statement on Instagram tonight alongside a photo of Liam on stage.
Styles said he's completely devastated by Payne's untimely passing.
He wrote: "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing.
"His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious."
Styles continued, "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."
The Golden singer also extended his heartfelt sympathies to Payne's family.
"My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola, and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did."
Payne tragically lost his life after reportedly falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires.
On Thursday evening, Styles released a joint statement with the rest of his former One Direction bandmates, paying tribute to Payne.
Payne was found dead in a courtyard at the CasaSur hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires on Wednesday night, according to local authorities.
Payne had been in Argentina for the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan, the Sun reports.
Just days ago, he had shared a video on social media of him and his girlfriend enjoying the gig. Along with the clip, Payen also shared a snap of him and the Irish singer, with the caption “reunited”.
After the news of his death broke, there were emotional scenes outside the Hotel CasaSur as fans gathered to pay tribute to the singer.
Emergency services said Payne had fallen from a third floor balcony of the hotel.
The head of the Buenos Aires’ SAME emergency medical service, Alberto Crescenti, told local television Payne had suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall” and there was “no possibility of resuscitation”.
It was confirmed on Thursday that Payne had died from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by a fall.
Police had been called to the hotel following an emergency call informing them of “an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
Police had been called by the hotel manager requesting “urgent” assistance. In a full transcript of the call, the manager said Payne was “drunk with drugs and alcohol”
He asked for police to send someone “with urgency because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger because he is in a room with balcony, and we are afraid he could do something that threatens life.”
His body has been sent for an autopsy to help investigators determine what led up to his death and if there were any contributing factors.
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