Liam Payne’s Family Speaks Out After Singer’s Death: ‘We Are Heartbroken’

Liam Payne‘s family has spoken out after the former One Direction member’s death on Wednesday (Oct. 16.

“We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” the statement shared with the BBC on Thursday (Oct. 17) said. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Police in Argentina confirmed that the 31-year-old died after falling from the third story of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, which resulted in “extremely serious injuries.” According to the Associated Press, police rushed to the hotel shortly after 5 p.m. local time, after a manager called law enforcement to report that an “aggressive man” was “destroying the entire room.”

Tributes to the singer-songwriter began immediately after news of his death. “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking,” producer Zedd tweeted, while rapper Flavor Flav wrote on X that the 31-year-old died “much too young.”

Payne was a member of pop group One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. The group formed in 2010 on the U.K.’s The X Factor, and disbanded in 2015. During the boy band’s time together, they charted six top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 — including “What Makes You Beautiful” (No. 4) and “Best Song Ever” (No. 2) — as well as four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200.

Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner Cheryl Cole.