Liam Payne’s family breaks their silence after his ‘awful’ death
Liam Payne’s loved ones are in mourning.
The late singer’s family released a statement to several outlets including the the BBC on Thursday after Payne died at age 31 on Wednesday.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” the family said.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time,” their statement added.
The family told the Daily Mail at their home in Wolverhampton, UK that they are “utterly devastated” about Payne’s death.
According to the outlet, Payne’s older sisters, Nicola and Ruth, arrived at the house Thursday morning.
Payne and his siblings were raised by their mom Karen, a nurse, and dad Geoff, a fitter, who are both still alive.
Neighbors told the Daily Mail that Payne’s parents left their home at around midnight Thursday, hours after Payne fell to his death from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“They were seen leaving in a hurry at around midnight last night but I’m not sure if they had bags,” one unnamed local resident said about Payne’s mom and dad.
They added: “You can’t imagine what they are going through. I know Liam liked to get back here when he could. They will be utterly heartbroken as they were very close.”
First responders rushed to the scene of Payne’s death at CasaSur Palermo Hotel, but they were unable to save him.
Medical officials confirmed that Payne died of “a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries” sustained in the fall.
“Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life,” said Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti, according to La Nacion.
He added: “The team could do absolutely nothing. There was no resuscitation because it was confirmed that he had died. The whole body had very serious injuries.”
Witnesses told TMZ Payne was acting “erratic” before his sudden passing. He allegedly smashed his laptop in the hotel lobby and was carried back to his room before the incident.
An emergency call, made by the hotel manager, was released detailing the chilling moments leading up to Payne’s fatal fall.
The manager, “Esteban,” claimed Payne was destroying his hotel room and was under the influence of “drugs and alcohol.”
Police later confirmed they had been called to the hotel after being notified of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol.”
Payne arrived in Argentina earlier this month for former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan’s concert.
It appears Payne stayed or returned to Argentina a short time after Horan’s concert with Cassidy. Cassidy left Argentina by herself two days before Payne’s death.
Payne rose to fame as a member of One Direction alongside Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. The group formed on “The X-Factor” in 2010, but broke up in 2016.
He is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear. Payne welcomed Bear in March 2017 with his ex, Cheryl Cole.