One Direction & Family Members Pay Tribute to Liam Payne

The former One Direction singer turned solo artist, fell from his third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in what TMZ is now reporting was an "apparent suicide."

The 31-year-old's family issued a statement following his death to the BBC: "We are heartbroken. 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's One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan shared a emotional joint statement on Thursday.

"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," read the statement, which was posted on social media. "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. 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. Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry."

Tomlinson also posted his own tribute, sharing a heartbreaking statement on Instagram.

"I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for."

"Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band," he continued. "And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam."

Tomlinson then shared a "message" for Payne.

"I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye," he wrote. "I'm so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I'd have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn't to be."

"I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was," he continued, before concluding, "I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X."

Malik also took to his personal account to share a photo of the friends asleep on each other in a car.

"Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives," he begun.

"I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved."

Malik went on to recall how Payne was "always more sensible than" him referring to Payne as "headstrong" and how they "butted heads," but Malik admitted he "secretly respected" Payne for it.

"When it came to music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional."

Malik concluded the sentiment by adding that he "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 properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly."

Meanwhile, other members of the One Direction world also reacted to the news of Payne's passing.

Styles' mother, Anne Twist, posted to her Instagram account with a enlarged heartbroken emoji alongside the words, "Just a boy..."

Members of her 2.5 million followers shared similar words under the post: "I am in total shock."

Malik's younger sister Waliyha has shared a heartfelt tribute to Payne, writing that she is "heartbroken" over his death. The 26-year-old shared several photos of Payne with Malik to her Instagram Stories on Thursday.

"Literally heartbroken. RIP. I have no words.

She also shared a clip of Liam speaking fondly about Zayn as he chatted with fans, saying: 'Zayn doing well, coming out on tour, I'm so proud of him.'

One Direction guitarist Dan Richards shared on his Instagram Story that "this all feels so surreal."

"Thanks to everyone reaching out. Still trying to wrap my head around it all. My thoughts go out to Liam’s family at this time."

Lou Teasdale, a hairstylist who worked with One Direction, wrote on X, "Sending you all so much love," along with a broken-heart emoji.

Horan's brother also shared an emotional tribute to Payne after the star's tragic death at age 31. The 37-year-old reshared ABC News' image alongside a personal message, recalling his time watching the boys form One Direction.

"To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement a weird feeling this morning and all night you were a top young boy to a man a son a brother you are only one of 4 lads I was happy enough to take my place in Niall's life as a brother you will be forever missed Liam words can't describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys .my heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers 10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family," he said.

He concluded the heartfelt message by thanking Payne "for all the laughs bro," before adding for Payne to  "watch down on all your family."

The X Factor's official X account said: "We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne. He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world."

Dermot O'Leary, who hosted The X Factor, also paid tribute on social media. "The worst news," he captioned an Instagram photograph of him and Payne on the show.

"I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family."

Rebecca Ferguson -- who finished second on The X Factor during the same season One Direction was founded -- took to X to share her tribute, recalling the days Payne was "hopeful and looking forward to his bright future" when he was still "young, innocent and unaffected by fame."

The five members of the juggernaut group were put together on the 2010 edition of The X Factor in the UK, going on to a third-place finish before getting signed by Simon Cowell and catapulting to superstardom.

One Direction went on to take the world by storm, amassing one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in the history of recorded music, and releasing five albums. Despite Malik leaving the band in 2015, and One Direction going on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, Directioners forever held out hope that they would one day see a reunion.

Outside of being a famed musician, Payne was also a proud father. He welcomed a son, Bear, in March 2017 with singer Cheryl Cole. And while the pair went their separate ways just a year later in 2018, Payne remained an active part of Bear's life, often speaking about his son in interviews and sharing what it was like being a young dad.