Louis Tomlinson speaks out on Liam Payne’s tragic death: ‘Beyond devastated’

Louis Tomlinson, seen here in 2015, paid tribute to Liam Payne after he died at the age of 31 on Oct. 16. FilmMagic

Louis Tomlinson mourned the loss of his former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne, after the singer plummeted to his death from a hotel balcony on Oct. 16.

“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” Tomlinson wrote on Instagram Thursday.

Tomlinson, 32, had a complicated relationship with Payne.

The former One Direction bandmates, seen here in 2016, had a rocky relationship. Getty Images Payne publicly announced his intention to make amends with Tomlinson in 2023. GC Images

The singers united in 2010 when they formed their pop group with Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik after competing on the UK’s “X Factor.”

The boy band skyrocketed to fame — during which time Payne started abusing drugs and alcohol.

Relationships soured between the bandmates and One Direction officially broke up in 2016.

Tomlinson and Payne formed the pop group with Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Niall Horan after competing on “The X Factor” in 2010. Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/Shutterstock The band, seen here in 2013, quickly topped the charts and skyrocketed to fame. WireImage

In 2022, Payne was called out for airing the former band’s dirty laundry on a podcast. He had notably called Tomlinson “rowdy.”

However, he vowed a year later to make amends with Tomlinson and the other ex-bandmembers after dragging them through the mud.

“I’m so sorry I was so out of my mind and I didn’t do better for you,” Payne wrote in a lengthy apology to Tomlinson via Instagram at the time.

“I feel ashamed in those moments to not be as good of a friend as you have been to me,” he continued.

Payne, seen performing with his band in 2012, admitted that he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse during his time with One Direction. Kevin Kane The band, photographed here in 2013, parted ways in 2016. WireImage

He added, “At least I have time now and I’m me again so will try and make amends.”

Payne issued the mea culpa after attending the UK screening of Tomlinson’s “All of Those Voices” documentary, which explores his own struggles with fame.

Payne continued to work on himself, revealing in 2023 that he had gone to rehab and was more than 100 days sober.

Just days before his death, he also attended Horan’s concert in Argentina in an attempt to rekindle their friendship.

Payne, seen here in 2012, eventually entered rehab and shared that he became sober. FilmMagic The late musician had notoriously aired his former bandmates dirty laundry on a podcast in 2022. PA Images/INSTARimages

Payne died on Oct. 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of his room at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.

The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office told Page Six of its preliminary autopsy report revealed that the late UK-born artist suffered multiple traumas that led to internal and external bleeding and he was unable to be revived by first responders on the scene.

“Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life,” local emergency medical doctor, Alberto Crescenti said, per the US Sun.

Payne, seen here with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy in 2023, died on Oct. 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. WireImage The former teen heartthrob suffered a fractured skull from the deadly fall. FilmMagic

“Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death,” the medical professional added.

Page Six also confirmed that alcohol and controlled substances were discovered in the pop star’s room after he died.

“Due to the position in which the body was left and the injuries from the fall, it is presumed that Payne did not adopt a reflex posture to protect himself and that he could have fallen while in a state of semi or total unconsciousness,” according to the statement.

He had been vacationing in Argentina with Cassidy just days before his passing. The fatal incident took place at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. REUTERS

Law enforcement officials said that Payne sustained “extremely serious injuries” and that he was declared dead at the scene.

Prior to his fatal fall, the hotel manager called the police to report that Payne was acting erratically.

“We have a guest who is [allegedly] high and drunk; and when he is conscious, he is destroying his room and we need you to send someone, please. We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if his life is in danger,” the employee named Estaban begged in the audio translated from Spanish.

First responders rushed to the scene but could not revive Payne after his body was found in the hotel courtyard. REUTERS He leaves behind his young son Bear, whom he welcomed with ex Cheryl Cole in 2017. Instagram/babypayneupdates

“He is in a room that has a balcony and we are scared he might be endangering his life,” he added.

Eyewitnesses claimed that Payne was causing a scene in the lobby and allegedly smashed his laptop before being carried back to his room.

Payne’s body was discovered in the hotel courtyard by staffers shortly after his troubling outburst.