Liam Payne's grieving sister issues emotional statement: 'I'm sorry I couldn't save you'

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By James Kay

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Liam Payne's sister has expressed her pain in an emotional statement following the death of her brother.

Payne, 31, tragically passed away on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

GettyImages-1192576229.jpgPayne was only 31 at the time of his death. Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty

The former One Direction star tragically fell from a third-floor balcony at the Hotel CasaSur, where he was staying.

Tributes have flooded in from across the world, including those in Argentina who have laid flowers and messages of condolence outside of the hotel.

Payne's sister, Ruth Gibbins, has posted a lengthy statement on social media as she becomes the latest to pay tribute to the 31-year-old.

"I don't believe this is happening. Many times have I poured my heart out publicly with pride about Liam but never much about life as his sister," she said.

"Liam is my best friend, no one could ever make me laugh as much as him, doing his impressions always had me creasing and he loved seeing how much of a laugh he could get."

GettyImages-2178097700.jpgFans consoled each other outside of the hotel in Argentina where Payne died. Credit: Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu/Getty

Ruth continued: "She wrote: "Liam, my brain is struggling to catch up with what's happening and I don't understand where you've gone.

"What I do love most about you is your ability to make me laugh, I never chuckle as much as I do when I'm with you with anyone else."

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you," 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."

Her statement continued: "I don't feel this world was good enough or kind enough to 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."

You can see her full statement below:


Payne's former parter Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he shares a seven-year-old son, Bear, also took to social media to issue a statement.

She wrote in a statement shared to Instagram: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being."

"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

"What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.

"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to rad them.

"Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.

"Thank you, Cheryl."


Our thoughts continue to be with those impacted by this sudden tragedy.

Featured image credit: Karwai Tang / Getty