Liam Payne‘s big sister has posted a heartbreaking tribute to him describing his loss as a ‘pain that will never heal’ as fans marked a year since his tragic death.
The One Direction star died aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina on October 16 last year whilst under the influence of drink and drugs.
Nicola Payne last night shared several intimate photos in her tribute and touchingly revealed how the family have kept his memory alive for his son Bear, eight, so he could ‘know all about his amazing daddy’.
In her poignant message she also revealed how she has tried to make sure his niece Ffion remembers her uncle by comparing him to a ‘star in the sky’ and a ‘rainbow, butterfly, a cloud’.
Tragically she recounted how she had been sitting at home with Ffion when news broke of her brother’s horrific death plunge from the third floor of the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aries.
Yesterday afternoon, dozens of fans gathered outside the hotel, where a shrine has been set up to remember Liam.
The group of mourners, many of whom were holding bouquets of flowers and balloons, stood quietly on the pavement.
Nicola’s four-page tribute on Instagram read: ‘A year ago today marks a date I never wanted to see again.
Liam Payne’s big sister Nicola has posted a heartbreaking tribute to him describing his loss as a ‘pain that will never heal’ as fans marked a year since his tragic death
Fans of singer Liam Payne gather outside the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires
‘The day our lives changed forever, and our hearts were left broken, with pieces missing.
‘That night, unaware of what you were going through, that you were alone. Me and Ffion watching Dinosaur on the TV and me saying to her, next time we see Uncle Liam, he’ll be able to tell you all the dinosaurs, as he loves them.
‘I didn’t know that as those words left my lips, and the pictures I took of the dinosaur to show you, that still sit on my phone today, that there wouldn’t be a next time.
‘There wouldn’t be that chance to do something so normal to everyone else. It would never happen for us.’
She added: ‘The next thing finding out you had gone. Without a moment to comprehend, we found out with the world, praying the world had got it wrong until hours passed and it was confirmed.
‘We didn’t get to say goodbye; we didn’t know all of the lasts had already happened.
‘We sit and listen to the world’s view, a view of what we should be doing, what they think they know, and like a lot of your life it just doesn’t seem fair.
‘We have only received a miniscule amount of the ridicule you received in life and in death and, it’s been unbearable.
‘I continue to acknowledge you every day, as though you are still here with us. I talk about you with Ffion and include you in everything we do, searching the sky for the brightest star because that is Uncle Liam.
Liam is pictured with his two sisters – Nicola and Ruth
Hundreds of admirers brought flowers, candles, and posters to the site where Payne passed away in 2024
‘Calming the rain before we walk to school, because that’s Uncle Liam. Seeing a rainbow, a butterfly, a cloud, because that’s Uncle Liam.
‘Accidentally losing a balloon that floats gently towards the sky, knowing that means Uncle Liam has joined the celebration.
‘But with these moments comes a pain, a pain that will never heal. There is always something someone, missing and I know that will remain for as long as I live.
‘We will continue to talk about you always, so the kids know the precious, kind, outstanding, so utterly talented, one of a kind uncle they have.
‘We will ensure Bear knows everything about the amazing daddy he has, not just your achievements and successes over the years, but all of things that made you you.
‘The little jokes you used to tell as a kid, the things we’ve laughed about over the years, the little pranks, your thoughtfulness, how you cared, your laugh, your wish for everyone to succeed.
‘You always loved to be our cheerleader, and the plans you had, so many plans. My hopes and dreams for you are still the same.
‘That you are happy, that you know how love you are, and that you are at peace, that you have friends up above, people you can chat to, people you van be with, that funny loving person that you are.
‘I hope that you still light up the places that you enter, that your laughter brightens people’s moods, that our nans and grandads are getting you to perform whenever they get a chance, and that crowds appear to listen to the boy that sings and smiles like he was born to do.
‘But now I also hope that you are able to watch over us from the best seat in the house.
‘Sometimes I find comfort in believing you can see the things I want to share with you, but other times it breaks my heart that we can no longer hear about your life or tell you about ours.
‘I also hope that you are proud of us, and that if you are, you continue to feel proud. We are really trying her, but sometimes it’s just so damn hard.
‘I don’t want you to be a picture on my shelf or a video on my phone. I want you to be here with us, where you should be.
‘I love you Liam. I will never not miss you, and will forever be so proud of you.’
Mourners came to the vigil from across the globe to pay tribute to the singer
Nicole ended her tribute with a purple heart emoji, two kisses and added pictures of her with her brother and other sister Ruth as well as his mum, Karen.
Yesterday afternoon, dozens of fans gathered at Casa Sur Hotel in the neighbourhood of Palermo to commemorate the first anniversary of Liam’s death.
Fans have set up a shrine on a tree at the entrance of Casa Sur Hotel, where Payne tragically died on October 16 last year.
The group of mourners stood quietly on the sidewalk and takes up part of the street. The hotel staff paced up and down the street, agitated.
The hotel manager and the general manager who were working on the day of Payne’s tragic death, Esteban Grassi and Gilda Martin, respectively, were nowhere to be seen.
‘I first listened to his music during the pandemic. I was going through a very difficult time and his music brought me comfort. I couldn’t believe it when I heard he had died. It still hurts,’ said Florencia, a 16-year old girl from the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
‘I am here to pay tribute to him,’ said Alejandro, 26, who lives in General Rodríguez, a small town 35 km from the capital city and who is selling One Direction memorabilia on the sidewalk.
Mourners came from other corners of the globe too.
‘I asked my family to be in Buenos Aires on this date. Liam has been in my life since I was a young girl. I brought him a knitted Batman toy and some flowers,’ says Carla, a 28-year-old young woman who flew from Guadalajara, Mexico.
‘I felt I needed to come over to get some closure,’ said Nadieska, 28, who travelled from Linares, Chile.
‘My childhood was filled with domestic violence and I took shelter in the music of One Direction. I learned English, I travelled abroad, all thanks to them. I named my dogs Tom and Liam,’ she giggled, teary-eyed.
‘It’s my first time here. I felt I couldn’t miss it. As a fan, his passing felt like losing a member of my family. I lost my brother some time ago, and when his anniversary comes up, I never fail to visit him either,’ said Daisy, 24.
‘We were in Italy on holiday a year ago when it happened, and I promised her on that day that we would visit Liam in Buenos Aires, so here we are,’ said Diana, while her daughter, Lina, 20, stares sadly at the ground. They have flown from Bogota, Colombia, to pay tribute to the late pop star.
There was a small, pink loudspeaker playing Liam Payne’s songs in the background. A large poster was displayed, showing fan letters from all over the world.
More young women showed up carrying bouquets of flowers. Some of them were greeted by other fans; they hugged each other, grieving.
Twenty purple balloons were released into the sky. Fans wept and gave one more round of applause to their lost idol.
