Liam Payne's Family Honors His "Brave Soul" in Moving Tribute After Singer's Death

Liam Payne’s family is in mourning.

Following the former One Direction member’s tragic death due to a fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina Oct. 16, the 31-year-old’s loved ones shared a gut-wrenching tribute.

“We are heartbroken,” his family said in a statement, obtained by BBC. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

They continued, "We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

Liam had been on vacation in Buenos Aires with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, whom he began dating in 2022, at the time of his fall.

While Kate left the country just days before Liam’s death—sharing in a TikTok video she was missing home and “just so ready to leave”—Liam posted a mirror selfie with Kate to his Snapchat mere hours before his passing. And in the days prior, Liam had shared an inside look at the pair’s time away together, telling fans on Snapchat, “Happy I got some time away.”

Liam—who shared son Bear Grey Payne with ex Cheryl Cole—first skyrocketed to fame as part of One Direction, which was formed on The X Factor in 2010 and featured bandmates  Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.

While the group became a global phenomenon before it went on hiatus in 2015 in order for its members to pursue solo careers, Liam had been candid over the years about the ways in which he struggled navigating a life in the spotlight.

"Fame made me a little bit nuts and distracted me a lot from the person I was," he told #Legend magazine in 2018. "And it pissed me off in the end, because it was like, 'You could have been this guy, but you chose to do this.' Nobody really knew anything about me. I put on a front that wasn't really me."

So when the time did come to officially part ways, the singer was a more relieved than anything.

"I remember the day we finished, because of the place I was in, I was quite happy that we had a break," Liam continued. "I said to the person with me at the time, 'Thank God I don't have to play that person again for a long time.' It was exhausting and I couldn't keep up with myself."

But while the five band members went their separate ways, their bonds remained, so much so that many of their family members have expressed their grief over Liam’s passing.

As Niall’s older brother Greg Horan wrote, “To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement. You were a top young boy to a man a son a brother you are only one of 4 lads I was happy enough to take my place in nialls life as a brother you will be forever missed Liam."

Similarly, Harry’s mother Anne Twist wrote alongside an image of a broken heart, “Just a boy…”

For more celebrities honoring Liam’s legacy, keep reading.

"We are heartbroken," Liam's family told the BBC. "Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

The boyband, made up of Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough, shared their condolences.

"Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat," the statement on X, formerly Twitter, said. "Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and Directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother.

The "Want U Back" singer, who competed alongside One Direction on The X Factor in 2010, wrote a heartfelt message to the late member on Instagram, alongside a throwback photo of the pair. 

"From being on the show together, visiting each others homes while filming, going on tour together and watching you achieve your dreams," Cher wrote on Instagram Oct. 17. "I’ll cherish the memories made and the laughs we had. My thoughts are with your family and friends, with everyone who loves you. My heart is breaking for your Son Bear. Rest in peace Liam."

The former X Factor contestant, who competed alongside One Direction in 2010, wrote a lengthy X, formerly Twitter, post memorializing Liam and speaking out against fame. 

"I've spoken for years about the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects—many of us are still living with the aftermath and the PTSD," she wrote. "Rest in peace Liam, I hope you find peace on the other side, and love to your mum and family."

"I'm devastated," the singer, who sang with Liam on the single "For You," wrote on X, formerly Twitter Oct. 17. "He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much—he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P."

Niall Horan's older brother wrote a lengthy tribute to the One Direction member in an Instagram post. 

"To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement," Greg wrote in an Oct. 17 post. "A weird feeling this morning and all night you were a top young boy to a man a son a brother you are only one of 4 lads I was happy enough to take my place in nialls life as a brother you will be forever missed Liam."

He continued with a note on the blended family between the five members of One Direction. 

"My heart goes out to your family, parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers," he continued. "10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on the all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo."

Zayn Malik's three sisters paid tribute to the late One Direction member in their respective Instagram stories, each calling his death "heartbreaking," and following up with photos of Liam with their brother. 

"I have no words," Waliyha, who appeared in the "Story of My Life" music video, wrote in an Instagram Story. "Literally heartbroken. RIP."

As an avid fan of One Direction, Noah wrote a tribute to the late member in a heartfelt Instagram Story. 

"I'm not ever going to be able to fully voice how I am feeling," Noah wrote. "But I feel so fortunate to have been in the same generation as Liam Payne and the pheneomenon of 1D. Liam you are so loved and will always be loved by so many."

The "I Burned LA Down" singer continued with a note on how much One Direction meant to her, and sent condolences to Liam's family and friends, as well as other fans. 

"Rest in peace Liam," she finished. "I really wish you so much peace beyond this world. You deserve it."

Harry Styles' mom shared an emoji of a broke heart, writing in the caption on Instagram, "Just a boy..." 

"This news is devastating, am lost for words," the X Factor runner-up wrote on Instagram. "We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF days and the tour we shared together."

The musician continued, "Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x am thinking of them! RIP Liam."

"RIP Liam," the DJ shared on X. "Can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking."

In a post shared on his Instagram Story, the "See You Again" singer said Liam was "always so kind to me."

"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with," Charlie, who worked with the One Direction alum on 2017's "Bedroom Floor," continued. "I can not believe he is gone."

 

"Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy," the rapper wrote on his Instagram Story. "Ima miss u fr fr sucio."

"So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing," the Simple Life star wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones.  RIP my friend."

"This is heartbreaking,” the Bachelor in Paradise alum wrote on her Instagram Story, sharing a photo of herself with Liam. "He had one of my favorite boy band voices. I’ll always remember when my friend was turning me into a One Direction fan in grad school and she showed me their performance of ‘Gotta Be You’ on the X Factor."

she continued, "The first verse he sang converted me into a fan instantly. I had chills. My heart goes out to his family and friends."

The Wanted singer said he was "devastated" by Liam's passing.

"Liam was an unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life," he shared on X. "I will never forget that. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time. Rest in peace Liam."

"FOR SO MANY YEARS I ALWAYS KNEW I COULD CALL YOU FOR SUPPORT AND BIG BROTHERLY ADVICE BUT NOW YOU'RE GONE...," the English singer wrote on her Instagram Story. "MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH LIAMS FAMILY AND FRIENDS DURING THIS TIME YOU'LL BE SO MISSED."

"R.I.P. Liam Payne," the rapper, who collaborated with Liam on the 2016 track "You," wrote on X, "wow I can't believe it prayers up for the family."

The X Factor alums shared in an X statement, "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family RIP @LiamPayne."

"RIP to Liam Payne," the Public Enemy founder wrote on X. "Much too young."

“Damn this Liam Payne news got me speechless … looked up to 1D so much during the wdw days," the former Why Don’t We boy bander shared on X. "You really never know when it’s your time to go. remind your friends/family that you love them today and every day."

"Good grief," the newscaster wrote on X. "What a shocking tragedy."

Jack Johnson of Jack & Jack called news of Liam's death "gut wrenching."

"Was such a nice guy the few times me and G ran into him," he recalled on X. "that’s so sad."

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