Former One Direction members pay tribute to Liam Payne

The cause of death for Liam Payne, a singer and former band member of One Direction, has been released Thursday. 

The singer died Wednesday at 31-years-old after falling from a third story balcony at a hotel in Argentina, according to local police.

Payne was best known as a member of boyband One Direction that was active from 2010-2016. Other members of the band are Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.

"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." Malik wrote in a post on Instagram. " I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever."

Tomlinson also posted a message to Payne on Instagram. "I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my 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," he wrote.

"I wish I got the chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you," he said in the post.

Styles wrote on Instagram Thursday "Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend."

Horan took to Instagram Friday morning to make his statement.

"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 wrote.

A joint statement from the four band members was also released through the One Direction Instagram page.

"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," the statement said.

Styles’ mom, Anne Twist, posted a photo with a broken heart emoji and wrote “just a boy” on Instagram.

The band first formed on the TV show “The X Factor” as each member competed as individual acts and were later put together in one group during the competition. Payne was only 16-years-old at the time the group formed. 

“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” The X Factor said in a statement on X. “He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”

“Britain’s Got Talent” auditions and filming was postponed Thursday after the news of Payne’s death.

“Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and all who loved him,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Payne died from multiple injuries that involved an “internal and external hemorrhage,” according to CNN, who viewed the preliminary autopsy report. A toxicology report is still pending.

His death happened at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel on Costa Rica Street in the Palermo neighborhood. Emergency services had been called just after 5 p.m. local time to the hotel after staff reported a guest was “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol.” 

In the call, it was added the staff didn’t know “if the guest’s life is at risk.” The hotel manager, who made the call, added “he breaks things up. He is tearing the whole room apart.” The manager told emergency services they needed “someone to be sent to us urgently.” The manager added the guest had been staying at the hotel for “two or three days.” Photos of Payne’s room, released by local police, reveal a smashed television.

Alberto Crescenti, head of Buenos Aires emergency services, said "the team could do absolutely nothing. There was no resuscitation because it was found that he had died. The whole body had very serious injuries,” according to La Nacion.

Fans gathered in front of the hotel to hold a vigil Wednesday night. They sang popular One Direction songs and held candles to honor Payne’s death. 

“We are supporting the family of Liam Payne who has died in Argentina and are in contact with the local authorities,” a spokesperson for the British Embassy in Argentina said in a statement released to CNN. 

According to the UK’s PA Media news agency, Payne’s family released a statement regarding the news of his death.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” the statement said. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

One Direction announced in 2015 they were taking a hiatus. Their fifth and final studio album “Made in the A.M.” was released on Sept. 22, 2015. 

Payne released his first solo album “LP1” in 2019 and he released an LP in March called “Teardrops.”

“I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much - he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage,” Rita Ora, who has worked with Payne, said in a statement posted to X.

He went to Argentina earlier this month to support Horan, who had a show there. 

“To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement a weird feeling this morning and all night you were a top young boy to a man a son a brother you are only one of four lads I was happy enough to take my place in Niall’s life as a brother you will be forever missed Liam,” Horan’s brother wrote in a post on Instagram. 

Payne had stayed in Argentina since the concert. He was seen meeting fans the day before he died. 

Payne leaves behind his seven-year-old son, Bear.