One Direction fans have been trying to comfort one another in the wake of the tragic news of Liam Payne’s death.
Authorities in Argentina last night (16 October) confirmed the singer’s death at the age of 31 after a fall from a third floor balcony in a Buenos Aires hotel.
Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, has said that Payne fell around 40 metres from a balcony and an autopsy confirmed that he suffered a number of injuries that were ‘not compatible’ with life.
Preliminary results of the autopsy put his cause of death down to ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ as a result of the fall, and further tests will be done to determine whether Payne had other substances in his system in the hours leading up to his death.
A statement issued on behalf of Payne’s family said: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
One Direction fans have been left in shock at the 31-year-old’s tragic death (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
There have been plenty of tributes pouring in for Payne from those who knew him, with Dermot O’Leary and Rita Ora among those visibly affected by the 31-year-old’s untimely death.
One Direction fans have been reacting in shock and disbelief as well, as they’ve been looking back in fondness at his life and can’t quite believe it’s over.
There was a letter that Payne wrote to his younger self in 2020 which warned him things were about to get ‘bumpy’, but ‘something magical is going to happen’, referring to the fame and success that resulted from going on The X Factor and meeting ex-girlfriend Cheryl, who he shares 7-year-old son, Bear, with.
Meanwhile, others have been sharing clips of the last time all five members of One Direction performed together, with footage from a gig in Hong Kong on 18 March, 2015.
Just found this video of Liams dad at the last otra show 🥲💔 pic.twitter.com/kb6MCojUNv
— ellie (@adoreyouellie) October 17, 2024
They’ve also been sharing footage from one of One Direction’s last ever shows in the On The Road Again tour which featured Payne’s dad dancing along to his son’s music.
Fans have been heartbroken to watch footage of happier times years ago, saying they remember it ‘like it was yesterday’ and expressing sympathy for his parents.
“Every single clip is breaking me,” one fan wrote, while another said they wished they could ‘go back to this’.
More said their ‘heart is hurting for his loved ones’ as they commiserated with each other.
