Liam Payne was just 31 when he died after falling from the third floor of a Buenos Aires, Argentina, hotel. When the news of his shocking death broke on October 16, fans couldn’t believe it. Liam had seen greeting fans and attending Niall Horan‘s concert earlier this month in the area. Hollywood is now grieving the loss of the former One Direction band member, and celebrities who knew him have shared their tributes to social media.
The details surrounding Liam’s death are still developing, but multiple outlets have reported that a partial autopsy revealed drugs and alcohol were in his system. His cause of death is directly linked to the fall from several floors up.
Read what celebrities have written about Liam so far, below.
Kate Cassidy
Liam’s girlfriend, Kate, shared a heartfelt statement to Instagram one week after he died. In her note, she revealed that Liam planned on marrying her.
“A few weeks ago, we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our lives together,” the 25-year-old wrote. “I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said, ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/ engaged & together forever 444.”
Kate added, “Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way we had planned. You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel. I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me everywhere I go. Forever yours, Katelyn.”
Liam Payne’s Family
The Payne family released a statement, obtained by the BBC, expressing their love for Liam. It read, “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.” They added, “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Harry Styles
Liam’s former bandmate, Harry Styles, shared a post on Instagram dedicated to his late friend, writing, “The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend. My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicole and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”
Niall Horan
Niall Horan was the last member of One Direction to see Liam, as Liam traveled to Argentina and visited him during his tour stop in early October 2024. Along with a picture of the two from their younger days, the 31-year-old singer wrote on Instagram, “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.” He concluded his post with, “Thank you for everything, Payne. Love you brother.”
Zayn Malik
Although Zayn Malik was the first to leave the band in 2015, he still honored his late bandmate on social media. He wrote, “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 properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.”
Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson was the first member of the group to share a personal message about Liam and his passing. In his heartfelt tribute on Instagram, he expressed how he would “Be the uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.”He continued, “I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but l’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. 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 l’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”
One Direction
The four remaining original members shared a joint statement through One Direction’s Instagram account that read, “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. 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.”
Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell took part in forming the boy band together while judging on X Factor. He shared on Instagram on Friday, October 18, “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens. Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”
He added, “I always thought of the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And reading their messages today I believe you were. And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon.”
Paris Hilton
So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing😢 Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. 🙏 RIP my friend🥺
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) October 16, 2024
Paris took to X (previously known as Twitter) to write, “So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend [sic].”
Charlie Puth
While sharing a throwback photo of him an Liam to Instagram, Charlie also wrote a separate message in an Instagram Story, which read, “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…”
Flavor Flav
RIP to Liam Payne,,, much too young 🙏🏾
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) October 16, 2024
In his tribute to Liam, Flavor Flav tweeted, “RIP to Liam Payne,,, much too young [sic].”
Zedd
RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…
absolutely heartbreaking … 💔— Zedd (@Zedd) October 16, 2024
Zedd, who collaborated with Liam on “Get Low,” tweeted, “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking …”
Dan Richards
Dan, who was a guitarist for One Direction, shared a note to his Instagram Stories, which read, “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.”
Camila Cabello
Camila has long been known as a Directioner, having revealed her love for the band during her X Factor audition, where she shared, “All I do is sing karaoke and watch like One Direction videos.” She later took to her Instagram Stories to express, “Thank you Liam for all the joy you brought my friends and I. It really made an impression on me as a young girl to meet a member of a group I loved and have him be so kind. It’s a tragedy to have him gone way too soon.”