Harry Styles and Liam Payne performed together in One Direction for years
Harry Styles has paid tribute to his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne after his death at 31.
On October 16, Payne was found dead in a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina after reportedly falling off a balcony on the third floor.
Argentine Director of Emergency Medical Services Alberto Crescenti told Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel: ” At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel.
“At 17.11 a SAME team arrived and verified the death of this man and later we found out that he was a singer in a musical group.
“Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation.”
Payne was widely known as a member of British boy band One Direction, along with Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.
The group first formed in 2010 as part of reality competition series The X Factor. They went on to become one of the biggest, best-selling boybands of all time before announcing their hiatus in 2016.
Shortly after releasing a joint statement on One Direction’s Instagram page, Styles took to the social media platform to post his own emotional tribute.
Sharing a photo of Payne performing on stage, Styles wrote in his statement: “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. 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.
“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,” Styles signed off while sending his condolences to Payne’s family.
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Other musicians and celebrities have also paid tribute to Payne on social media.
DJ Zedd, who worked with the singer on his song ‘Get Low’, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking.”
Meanwhile, Charlie Puth penned to his Instagram Story: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…”
He added: “I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”
