Relatives and friends of Liam Payne have highlighted the difficulties he faced in life and called for the public to be mindful of their comments in the wake of the singer’s death at the age of 31.
His sister Ruth Gibbins, said she does not feel “this world was good enough or kind enough” to him in a heartfelt tribute to her late brother.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Saturday, Ms Gibbins said her brother’s ability to make her laugh is what she “loved most” about him, adding she was “in awe” of his talent.
It comes as their father is in Buenos Aires to arrange the repatriation of the One Direction singer’s body.
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Geoff Payne read letters and cards from fans on Friday outside the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital, where the British star fell from a third-floor balcony on Wednesday.
Ms Gibbins wrote: “I don’t feel this world was good enough or kind enough to you, and quite often over the last few years, you’ve had to really try hard to overcome all that was being aimed at you.
“You just wanted to be loved and to make people happy with your music. You never believed you were good enough, I hope you can now see this outpouring of love that you never received in your time.”
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy described the death of the singer “indescribably painful”, as she voiced fears over protecting their seven-year-old son Bear.
Cheryl, who was in a high-profile relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018, said in a statement on Instagram that their son has to “face the reality of never seeing his father again”.
“As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” the 41-year-old said, sharing a black and white picture of Payne in bed with his son.
“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.
“What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.
“I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.
“Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”
Her statement comes after Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy said “nothing about the past few days have felt real” after his death at the age of 31.
“I have been at a complete loss,” the influencer 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. Liam, my angel, you are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely.”
Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan said he was “absolutely devastated” by the sudden death of his former bandmate.
Payne was spotted dancing at Horan’s show around two weeks ago at the Movistar Arena alongside his girlfriend Cassidy in Argentina.
“I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking,” Horan wrote.
Horan reflected on their time together after the October 2nd concert and concluded: “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.”
The singer died of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage”, a post-mortem examination report said.
Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No 16 said it was investigating the incident as an “inconclusive death” following the report.
Why singer Liam Payne's death is hitting One Direction fans hard
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