The remaining members of One Direction mourned the death of bandmate Liam Payne in a joint statement on Thursday. In a message posted to the group’s long-dormant Instagram account , singers Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik , Niall Horan and Harry Styles said, “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.” “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” the statement continued.
“But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.” “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” the band added. “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.” Payne died of injuries he sustained after falling from the third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel on Wednesday.
He was 31. Prior to his death, hotel workers contacted authorities about “a guest who has had too much drugs and alcohol.” Both were found in the musician’s hotel room following his fatal fall.
In addition to the joint statement, Malik and Tomlinson each shared personal tributes to their bandmate on Instagram on Thursday. Malik posted a photo of himself napping with Payne and thanked the singer for supporting him “through some of the most difficult times in my life.” “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you.