Cheryl Cole, Mother of Liam Payne’s Son, Slams ‘Media Exploitation’: ‘We Have Lost a Human Being’

Liam Payne‘s former partner Cheryl Cole, the mother of their seven-year-old son Bear, spoke out for the first time on Friday, criticizing some of the “abhorrent” media reports that surfaced after Payne’s death earlier this week.

“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” Cole wrote in an Instagram post on Friday, also sharing a picture of Payne with Bear when he was a baby. “Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

Cole found it particularly disturbing that her son will eventually see the “abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days.”

“I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces,” Cole wrote. “Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”

Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who left Argentina days before the incident, broke her silence on Friday as well. “Liam, my angel. You are everything,” she wrote on Friday. “I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely,” Cassidy wrote. “I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

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Payne died on Wednesday evening after falling from his hotel room balcony in Argentina. With Payne dying at just 31 years old, his death shocked the music world, with celebrities and One Direction fans in mourning. All of the surviving members of One Direction shared their own tributes to Payne on Thursday, with the band sharing a joint statement as well.

“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” the band said. “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.”