One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson Reacts to Former Bandmate Liam Payne’s Death: ‘Devastated’

One Direction member Louis Tomlinson reacted to his former bandmate Liam Payne’s death in an emotional message just one day after his tragic fall in Argentina.

“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,” Louis, 32, wrote in a lengthy statement via Instagram on Thursday, October 17. “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.”

Louis, Liam, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan were the five members of One Direction. The boy band was formed in 2010 on the British reality show X Factor after they originally auditioned as solo contestants, but the judges decided to group them together. Following the release of their debut single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” in 2011 — which became a global hit — One Direction quickly rose to fame as one of the most successful groups of the generation.

“Liam was an incredible songwriter 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.”

One Direction released four albums from 2011 to 2014 before Zayn, 31, announced his departure from the group in 2015, citing that he desired a more private life. The rest of the members released one more album that year, before announcing they would be going on a definite hiatus.

Louis ended his emotional message by sending a special message dedicated to Liam, writing that he was “beyond lucky” to have had him in his life.

“But I’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 I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be,” he concluded, adding a shoutout to Liam’s 7-year-old son, Bear.

“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 concluded. “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.”

The tributes have been pouring after news broke that Liam died after falling off a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16. Local authorities confirmed one day later that the One Direction star “jumped from the balcony of his room” before his death at 31 years old, the Associated Press reported.

According to an audio recording of the 911 call obtained via local media by Telemundo, the hotel staff member said a guest — who was not identified as Liam — had “overindulged on drugs and alcohol,” adding, “When he is conscious he breaks, he is breaking the whole room. Well, we need you to send someone, please.”

Liam was dead by the time authorities arrived on the scene. Buenos Aires police said that Liam’s fall from the third-floor balcony resulted in “extremely serious injuries” and medics confirmed his death on the spot.

Liam was transparent in the past about his struggles with drugs and alcohol, admitting that during the height of his boy band fame, he had “moments of suicidal ideation.”

“It was fun, we had an absolute blast,” he explained in a 2019 interview. “But there were certain parts of it where it just got a little bit toxic.”