In the wake of Liam Payne’s devastating death, his family have shared emotional tributes and memories of the beloved star, with his sister calling them his ‘biggest fans’
Liam Payne’s family will forever be his ‘biggest fans’ but have few photos together to look back on, his sister has shared.
The One Direction star devastatingly died aged 31 on Wednesday, October 16, while on holiday in Argentina. Police and prosecutors continue to investigate the tragedy that led to the dad-of-one falling to his death from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. A post-mortem examination has so far determined that Liam died from ‘multiple injuries’.
Preliminary toxicology findings show Liam died with cocaine in his system, though the final results are still pending and may not be made public for a few weeks. In the wake of the horrifying ordeal, Liam’s loved ones have spoken out about their immense loss, with his sister Nicola sharing the heartbreaking reason they don’t have many photos with him.
Nicola took to Instagram to post a moving statement yesterday and said she hopes Liam has now “found peace”. She wrote: “When I saw the news pop up on my phone that you had left us I went cold. I wanted so much for it to be untrue. I spent days hoping that it was a mistake. You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who lived to make people smile and be happy.”
Praising his down-to-earth personality, she continued: “You have always shown kindness to everyone you met and it shows with just how many people have confirmed what we always knew!” Nicola went on to share that Liam’s family have few photos with him because they wanted him to feel relaxed and comfortable in their presence and never like he was “in a room of fans”.
She touchingly wrote: “We don’t have many pictures together as we never really did that as a family, we never wanted you to feel like you were in a room of fans. But we were your biggest fans – always and forever.” His sister went on to compliment his “talent” and said: “Liam, you were certainly brilliant at everything you did!”
Highlighting the backlash Liam received in the public eye in recent times, she wrote: “Unfortunately, this cruel world is always too quick to judge someone from a five second clip, they think it entitles them to be able to speak like they know you. We knew you and we loved you.” She made a promise to “make sure Bear knows about his daddy” as she signed off: “See you soon. Liam. Love you.”
Speaking on Thursday, a statement from Liam’s family read: “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.” Liam’s mother, Karen, devastatingly told a friend of the family: “I’ve lost my beautiful boy.”
Meanwhile, his other sister Ruth, shared a heartfelt tribute to her “brother and best friend” on Instagram. Writing an emotional open letter on Saturday, she said: “Liam, my brain is struggling to catch up with what’s happening and I don’t understand where you’ve gone. I just want to drive to your house and walk in to music blasting and find you sat there writing a song or walk into your art phases and sit with you while you draw or craft.”
She went on: “I don’t feel this world was good enough or kind enough to have you, and quite often over the last few years you’ve had to really try hard to overcome all that was being aimed at you. You just wanted to be loved and to make people happy with your music. You never believed you were good enough.
“I hope you can now see this outpouring of love that you never received in your time. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for the incredible memories, thank you for being the best brother and friend I’ll ever have!”
Of Liam’s seven-year-old son Bear, she said: “We’ll take care of Bear and he will always know how incredible his dad is and how much you idolise him. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. Love you, oh how my heart misses you, Ru xxx”. She added: “One last time I need you to know, I’m here if you need anything. I’d drive to the end of the universe to bring you back.”
