The world is mourning Liam Payne, but none more so than those who knew them best.
Niall Horan has shared a moving statement following the devastating news of Liam Payne’s death, which occurred just days after Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires.
In fact, one of the big reasons Liam was in Argentina was to “make things right” with Niall – but what that means is still unclear.
The bond between the two musicians, forged during their time in One Direction, was clearly important to Liam.
And with his statement, Niall reveals that he felt the same.
Niall Horan mourns ‘brother’ Liam Payne
Niall saw Liam just two weeks before his death on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Since he was the last member of One Direction to see him alive, it seems fitting that he would also be the last member of 1D to pay tribute to his friend.
“I am absolutely devastated by the passing of my incredible friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real,” Niall wrote in his post. Instagram alongside a photo of the two as teenagers.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for his work that was contagious. He was the smartest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and safe.”
“All the laughs we’ve had over the years, sometimes over the simplest of things, keep coming to mind amidst the sadness,” he added. “We got to live our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”
Liam Payne’s trip to Argentina for Niall Horan
It turns out that Liam Payne traveled to Argentina to see Niall Horan in concert before his death.
Two weeks earlier, on October 2, Liam attended one of Niall’s performances in Buenos Aires – but that wasn’t the only reason he was there.
Before arriving, Liam said in a video on his Instagram Stories that he and Niall had things to “work out.”
“We’re going to Argentina,” he said. “One, because we want to. Two, because we want to. And three, because Niall Horan is playing there and I think we could just say ‘hello’.”
The late star added: “It’s been a while since Niall and I have spoken. We have a lot to talk about and I would like to settle some things with the boy. No bad vibes or anything like that, but we just need to talk.”
Liam’s untimely death
It’s horrible to lose a beautiful soul like Liam’s, especially at such a young age.
The former boy bander died in front of a hotel in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. Local police confirmed on Wednesday that Liam was found dead after falling from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room.
In a statement, police in the capital said they were called to the hotel in the capital’s leafy Palermo neighborhood, where they were notified of an “aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol.”
Liam has been honest over the years about his problems with alcoholism. However, in the various videos he posted to his Snapchat story in the hours leading up to his shocking death, Liam appeared at peace and happy.
In one of the deleted snapshots, he even shared with his fans that he was having a “beautiful day” while spending time with girlfriend Kate Cassidy in Argentina.
An incredibly awkward moment captured on film, knowing exactly how the day would end for him.
Then again, according to witnessesLiam was acting erratically in the hotel lobby earlier in the day. They claim he broke his laptop and had to be carried back to his room.
Clearly there is still much to learn about his death.