Liam Payne’s family have opened up about the “indescribable, lasting damage” that media intrusion has had on them since his death.
The former One Direction star tragically died on October 16 last year, after he fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, with the Argentinian prosecutor’s office sharing at the time that his cause of death was due to multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.
At the BRIT Awards on Saturday (March 1), an emotional tribute video aired for the singer, with host Jack Whitehall saying it was time to honour “a very special person who meant so much to so many of the people in this room and to millions of you around the world.”
Now, Payne’s family have issued a statement in reaction to the video. “This weekend, at the Brit Awards, Liam was remembered for his phenomenal contribution to British music and for his wider, positive impact on millions of adoring fans the world over. We joined in that celebration of his life and will forever remember the joy that his music brought to the world.”
They described his passing as “an unspeakable tragedy” and a time of “tremendous grief and pain for those who knew and loved him”.
“The constant media attention and speculation which has accompanied the process has exacted indescribable, lasting damage on the family, particularly on Liam’s son, who is trying to process emotions which no seven-year-old should have to experience,” they added.
“The family has always wished for privacy to grieve and asks that they be given the space and time to do so.”
Payne’s friend Roger Nores, who had accompanied him to Buenos Aires, and two hotel workers were exonerated of all charges against them in connection to the singer’s death last year. Five people had been arrested and charged, with Nores charged with negligent homicide, and the hotel employees charged with manslaughter.
The family’s statement addressed this directly: “We understand that the investigation into Liam’s death was absolutely necessary and the family recognises the work done by the Argentinian authorities. However, the family accepts the Court of Appeal’s decision to drop all charges.”
After the BRITs tribute aired, Payne’s former bandmate Louis Tomlinson took to X/Twitter to thank the organisers for the “beautiful tribute,” adding: “Miss you always brother.”