LONDON — Liam Payne's family paid tribute to the pop star after his deadly fall Wednesday from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
"We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul," the Payne family said in a short statement to the London-based Press Association news agency. "We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."
His girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, spoke out on Instagram on Friday.
"I have been at a complete loss," she said. "Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private."
Cassidy added a message for Payne, her "angel."
"I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will love you for the rest of my life."
Payne, 31, died after a hotel receptionist called 911 to report that a distressed guest who was intoxicated with alcohol and drugs was "breaking the whole room."
Payne rose to fame in 2010 as part of the five-member boy band One Direction, which was formed on the British talent show "X Factor." The group didn't win that season, finishing in third place, but it was enough to secure a record deal with Syco Records, run by "X Factor" judge Simon Cowell.
The band became phenomenally successful: One Direction was the first band to see its first four albums debut at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. One Direction's 2014 tour to support their "Midnight Memories" album made $290 million, the highest-grossing tour of the year.
Since the news of Payne's death, One Direction fans have gathered at the Casa Sur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires to pay tribute to Payne and sing some of the group's songs.
Rebecca Ferguson, the British singer who came second on the same season of the "X Factor," recalled meeting him at a train station on the way to record the show in 2010.
"I can't help but think of that boy who was hopeful and looking forward to his bright future ahead," she wrote on X.
"If he hadn't jumped on that train and jumped in that taxi I believe he would be alive today," she said.
Ferguson added that "many of us are still living with the aftermath" of being young stars.
The X Factor said on X that the show is "heartbroken" by Payne's death.
"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," the statement said.
Anne Twist, the mother of Payne's former bandmate Harry Styles, posted a broken heart emoji on Instagram with the caption, "Just a boy..."
Although he didn't mention Payne, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher said on X early Thursday: "Life is precious kids and you only get to do it ONCE go easy LG x."
Asked on X whether he had seen the news about Payne's death, he replied: "I have it's very sad."
Payne's U.S. record label, Republic Records, also posted its sympathies.
"We are deeply saddened and devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne, an extraordinary artist whose music touched millions," the statement reads. "His legacy will live on through the timeless work he created, and he will forever be remembered as an icon of his generation."
Ty Dolla Sign said on Instagram that he had spoken to Payne two days before his death.
“Ima miss you frfr sucio,” he wrote.
Celebrities including Zedd and Paris Hilton also posted tributes on X, with Zedd saying, "I can't believe this is real," and Hilton writing, "Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones."
