Former One Direction star Harry Styles pays tribute to Liam Payne after his shock death in Argentina | Ents & Arts News

Harry Styles paid tribute to his former bandmate Liam Payne, saying his energy was “infectious” and that their time together would be “among the most precious years of my life.”

The Watermelon Sugar pop star said in an Instagram post on Thursday night that he was “truly devastated” by the death of Payne, with whom he rose to fame as part of a boy band One direction.

Payne, 31, died after falling to his death from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina.

The circumstances of his death were suspicious and may have involved drugs, Argentine prosecutors said, but there were no signs of third-party involvement.

“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to be at his side to do that,” Styles said.

“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had a life energy that was contagious.

“He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever be among the most precious years of my life. I will always miss him, my dear friend.”

“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear and everyone in the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”

Read more:
Obituary for Liam Payne
Liam Payne in Pictures: A Life in the Spotlight
Payne posted on social media just hours before his death

Since the shocking news of his death broke, tributes have been pouring in for the 31-year-old singer from around the world.

One Direction issued a statement They said they were “completely devastated” by “the loss of our brother who we loved very much.”

On his Instagram page, fellow One Direction member Louis Tomlinson said he had “lost a brother.”

He called the singer “an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody,” said they had “become even closer since the band” and offered to be an uncle to Payne's son Bear if he “ever needed me.”

Zayn Malik simply posted “Love You Bro,” along with a picture of the two sleeping together, seemingly in a vehicle.

'Inconsolable'

His family said they were “heartbroken” in a statement from Payne’s representative.

“Liam will live in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

“We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.”

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who performed with One Direction in 2014, said he was “shocked and sad.”

The Backstreet Boys said in a social media post that their hearts go out to “directors around the world.”

The production company behind the film One Direction: This is Us praised Payne as a “truly wonderful soul” before adding in an Instagram post: “Every room was brighter for him.”

Former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne said the music industry had failed Payne, who was “just a kid” when he broke into “one of the toughest industries in the world”.

Payne previously said he struggled with alcoholism at the height of his success, describing to The Diary Of A CEO podcast host Steven Bartlett that he had hit “rock bottom”.

But in 2023, he posted a YouTube video in which he confirmed that he had been sober for almost six months after nearly 100 days in a US rehab facility.

In previous interviews, Payne alluded to the grueling consequences of growing up against the surreal backdrop of the entertainment industry.

“I don’t think you can ever come to terms with that. It's all a little crazy for us to see people get this kind of attitude about us and what we do,” he told the AP in 2013.

What do we know so far about Payne's death?

Buenos Aires police said they found Payne's hotel room “in complete disarray” with broken items and furniture.

They found packages of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, energy supplements and over-the-counter medications scattered throughout his belongings. The Argentine prosecutor said there also appeared to be alcohol and narcotics in the room.

Forensics teams reported that a whiskey bottle, a lighter and a cell phone were recovered from the courtyard of the building where Payne's body was found.

One of his close friends showed Sky News Messages he sent her Hours before he died.

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The results of the requested toxicology tests are still pending and could take weeks to be released.

:: If you feel emotionally stressed, you can contact Samaritans for help on 116 123 or by email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call your nearest Samaritans location or 1 (800) 273-TALK.