As the world continues to mourn the death of Liam Payne, those who knew him best share his grief.
This includes perhaps his most famous ex-girlfriend.
Although Cheryl Cole and Liam have only been dating for two years, their time together has had a huge impact on both of their lives. Her pain is felt much more deeply knowing that along with her own pain, she has been left to care for her 7-year-old son who no longer has a father.
This one will only destroy your heart.
Cheryl Cole’s tribute to Liam Payne
“As I try to navigate this devastating event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I would like to remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she said. wrote on Instagram next to an old photo of Liam in bed with his newborn son, Bear.
She continued: “Liam was not just 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 who now has to face the harsh reality of never seeing his father again.”
Cheryl then asked for kindness, as well as for her son to be spared many of the details of his father’s tragic passing.
“Before leaving comments or making videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them,” she implored.
“Please give Liam what little dignity he has left after his death to finally rest in peace.”
His romance and son
Although the romance was brief, it ended happily for the couple.
Liam and Cheryl started dating in 2016, becoming the golden couple of the UK music scene almost overnight.
What may have started out as a fling quickly became quite serious when Cheryl became pregnant just a few months later.
The duo welcomed their son Bear on March 22, 2017.
“I always wanted to be a young father, but I really didn’t expect to be in this place,” he said People Magazine in 2018.
“I had my son at a very young age and you think it will be a magical thing, that one day you will grow up and become the person you were meant to be,” he explained. “But it took a long time to find the balance.”
Ultimately, Cheryl and Liam split in July 2018. In the years since, they seemed to have found a successful way to co-parent.
“It was a difficult decision for us to make,” Liam wrote in a tweet to fans.
“We still have a lot of love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate this together.”
The latest details on Liam’s death
Liam died tragically on Wednesday, October 16, after falling from the third-floor balcony of his room at the Hotel CasaSur Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old.
Police told the press that Liam suffered “extremely serious injuries” and that medical staff declared him dead on the spot.
Later, with the release of the 911 call, mourners learned of his final moments, which were incredibly difficult to hear.
“I’m calling (from) the CasaSur hotel in Palermo, Costa Rica 6032,” the manager of this establishment is heard saying in Spanish in audio obtained by Sun UK and La Nacion.
“We have a guest who is drunk on drugs and alcohol. And, well, he’s… When he’s conscious, he’s destroying the entire room. And, well, we need you to send someone, please.”
Ultimately, help for Liam came too late.