Harry Styles has issued an emotional statement to his late bandmate Liam Payne after his unexpected death in Argentina.
On Wednesday (October 16), it was reported that the 31-year-old singer tragically died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital.
Payne shot to fame as a member of One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik.
The group was formed in 2010 during X Factor UK and ended up becoming one of the most successful bands of all time.
On Thursday (October 17), a day after the shock news was confirmed, Styles took to his Instagram to share an emotional tribute to his dear friend.
Check out the post below:The Grammy-award-winning star shared a picture of Payne performing in front of a large crowd and wrote alongside it that he is "truly devastated" by his late bandmate's passing.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to be alongside him as he did it. Liam lived wide-open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious," he continued.
Styles called Payne “warm, supportive and incredibly loving,” further stating that his “heart breaks” for the 'Teardrops' artist's parents, siblings and his seven-year-old son, Bear.
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life,” Styles wrote, adding: “I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”
The 'Best Song Ever' star had been staying at the Hotel CasaSur when he suffered a fatal fall.
Alberto Crescenti, the head of Buenos Aires's SAME emergency medical service, told local television that Payne had suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall" and there was "no possibility of resuscitation," cited by The Mirror.
According to reports from The Sun, the results of the late singer's preliminary autopsy state that Payne had severe injuries that led to “internal and external hemorrhaging” from the fall.
Further tests are currently ongoing amid the investigation into the circumstances of his death.
The official One Direction page on Instagram shared a tribute statement saying, they were "completely devastated" by "the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly".
"In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” the message read. “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," they concluded.
Members Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have also shared their personal remembrances of their bandmate as well.
Our thoughts are with Payne's loved ones at this time.
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