Niall Horan Honors Liam Payne: “Thank You for Everything, Payno” and Shares How Fortunate He Feels to Have Recently Seen His Former Bandmate

Niall Horan recently took to Instagram to honor his One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne. On October 16, it was reported that Payne tragically died after falling from the balcony of his hotel room on the third floor in Buenos Aires. A preliminary autopsy indicated that the musician sustained both internal and external injuries as a result of the fall, which ultimately led to his passing.

On October 18, Horan shared a nostalgic photograph of himself with Payne from their days in the band, showcasing a playful moment where Horan carries Payne on his back. Accompanying this image, Horan penned a heartfelt tribute to his friend.

“I’m completely heartbroken over the loss of my wonderful friend, Liam. It feels surreal. Liam had an incredible zest for life and a dedication to his craft that inspired everyone around him. He illuminated every room he entered, bringing joy and comfort to all,” Horan expressed.

Horan reflected on the profound bond he shared with Payne, emphasizing that such connections are rare. He felt fortunate that he was able to see Payne just weeks before his untimely passing, and he extended his heartfelt condolences to Payne’s family and his seven-year-old son.

“I am truly grateful I got to catch up with him not long ago. Little did I know that after our farewell hug that night, it would be my last. It’s devastating. My love and thoughts are with Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola, and, of course, his son Bear. Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you, brother,” the message continued.

On October 17, the official One Direction Instagram account ended a four-year silence to pay tribute to Liam Payne, sharing a poignant message signed by the remaining members of the group.

Liam Payne Attended Niall Horan’s Concert in Argentina Just Weeks Prior to His Death

On October 2, footage emerged of Liam Payne joyfully dancing, singing, and taking selfies with fans at Niall Horan’s concert at Movistar Arena in Argentina. The two former bandmates reunited backstage for a photo, which Horan mentioned in his tribute.

Niall Horan’s tribute came on the heels of emotional messages from fellow One Direction members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, who also took to Instagram to honor Payne. Tomlinson conveyed his deep sorrow over Payne’s passing, referring to him as “the most essential part of One Direction.”

“Liam was a remarkable songwriter with an exceptional sense of melody. We often talked about getting back in the studio to recreate the magic we had during our time in the band,” Tomlinson recalled.

Zayn Malik expressed regret for not having the chance to thank Payne for his support during some of the most challenging moments of his life, including times when he felt homesick during their teenage years.

Harry Styles described Liam Payne as “warm, supportive, and incredibly loving,”who lived life authentically, “with his heart on his sleeve.”Other celebrities including Charlie Puth, Rita Ora, Olly Murs, Zedd, and Jade Thirlwall also paid tribute to Payne.

On October 16, it was reported that Liam Payne fell to his death from the balcony of his hotel room shortly after staff alerted emergency services about a guest behaving erratically due to suspected drug and alcohol use.

As reported by the BBC, authorities in Argentina revealed that Payne’s room showed signs of having been ransacked, with numerous items broken. Evidence found in his room included alcohol, medication, and a cellphone.

Authorities believe Payne was alone at the time of the incident, suggesting that no other parties were involved in the unfortunate fall.

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