One Direction fans hold vigil for Liam Payne in Liverpool

Lis Sinatra

One Direction fans have been holding vigils for Liam Payne in Liverpool to remember the late singer following his death on Wednesday (October 16).

Payne passed away at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Per The Guardian, the Argentinian prosecutor’s office revealed that Payne’s cause of death was due to multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.

A group of Directioners gathered at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool earlier today (September 19), carrying lit candles, cardboard signs, flowers, teddy bears and balloons. They also sang various One Direction songs, including ‘Story Of My Life’ and ‘History’.

Fans in Argentina had gathered outside the hotel where he died to pay respects to Payne, leaving written tributes, photos and friendship bracelets.

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Last night (October 18), Payne’s father Geoff joined the crowds. He was seen reading messages and looking at the flowers placed outside the Casa Sur Hotel in memory of his son.

Per Sky News, Geoff thanked fans for being there and paused to pick up and kiss photos of Payne.

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Further vigils are set to take place tomorrow, including at London’s Hyde Park and Birmingham’s Chamberlain Square. Another vigil occurred in Payne’s hometown of Wolverhamption yesterday (October 18).

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One Direction’s surviving members Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles shared a joint statement on Payne’s death, where they expressed their devastation, and that they would need time “to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”

Across the music industry, others have paid respects to Payne, including Shawn Mendes, Maggie Rogers, Robbie Williams, Rita Ora, Liam Gallagher and Victoria Canal.

Yesterday Cheryl, Payne’s ex-partner and mother to his 7-year-old son Bear, spoke out about the “indescribably painful” loss and urged people to “give Liam the little dignity he has left”.

Kate Cassidy, Payne’s girlfriend at the time of his death, also spoke out yesterday, saying: “I have been at a complete loss. 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.”

In other news, Malik has postponed his US tour as a result of Payne’s death. The shows will now take place in January.