Liam Payne’s Family Says ‘We’ll Remember Him for His Kind, Funny and Brave Soul’ After Sudden Death

Liam Payne’s family have issued a statement saying they are “heartbroken” following the former One Direction singer’s sudden death yesterday, Oct. 16.

“We are heartbroken,” the Payne family said (via 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.”

Payne died after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A full investigation remains ongoing, but the director for the Buenos Aires medical emergency agency, SAME, Alberto Crescenti, told the local press that Payne fell from “about 13 or 14 meters” and that the singer “suffered severe injuries incompatible with life.”

CNN’s Argentine affiliate Todo Notices also shared audio from an emergency call from hotel staff to Buenos Aires police that shed some additional light on the tragedy. Hotel staff contacted the police asking for immediate assistance for “a guest who is overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol” at around 5 p.m. local time. 

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“He breaks things up. He is tearing the whole room apart,” the hotel employee told the emergency operator. The employee also expressed concern about the balcony attached to the third-story room, saying, “We’re a little afraid that he’ll do something.” By the time police arrived, Payne had already fallen to his death. 

Following the news, an array of Payne’s peers and friends took to social media to pay tribute to him. Charlie Puth remembered Payne as “one of the first major artists I got to work with,” while Ty Dolla $ign wrote, “Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy. Ima miss u frfr sucio.” The Backstreet Boys shared a joint statement, saying, “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. Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and directioners around the world.”