Liam Payne’s family released a statement about his tragic death after the court dropped manslaughter charges related to his fatal fall in Argentina.
“Liam’s death was an unspeakable tragedy,” his family wrote in a joint statement Sunday, per BBC.
“This is a time of tremendous grief and pain for those who knew and loved him. Liam ought to have had a long life ahead of him,” they added about the late One Direction singer.
“Instead, Bear has lost his father, Geoff and Karen have lost their son, Ruth and Nicola have lost their brother and all of Liam’s friends and fans have lost someone they held very dear.”
Payne’s family continued, “We understand that the investigation into Liam’s death was absolutely necessary, and the family recognizes the work done by the Argentinian authorities. However, the family accepts the Court of Appeal’s decision to drop all charges.”
The relatives of the “Night Changes” singer said that the media frenzy surrounding his death has brought “indescribable, lasting damage on the family,” especially to Payne’s 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Cole.
They added that Bear is now “trying to process emotions which no 7-year-old should have to experience.”
“The family has always wished for privacy to grieve and asks that they be given the space and time to do so,” they added.
“Liam, you are so loved and missed.”
The family’s statement comes nearly two weeks after a court dropped manslaughter charges for three of the five people in connection to the pop star’s falling death last October.
Per Rolling Stone, charges against the late singer’s friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores and two CasaSur Palermo hotel employees were dismissed.
However, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, the two men accused of selling Payne cocaine, are still awaiting trial.
Payne died in October 2024 after falling off the balcony of his third-story hotel room in Casa Sur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.
The “What Makes You Beautiful” singer suffered multiple traumas, including a fractured skull, which led to internal and external bleeding.
At the time of his death, Payne had a blood-alcohol content that was four times the legal limit and had multiple drugs in his system, including cocaine, crack and benzodiazepine.
The following month, the “X Factor” alum’s former bandmates, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, gathered outside of London to lay Payne to rest.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).