The memories we shared with him will be cherished forever, the late singer's bandmates have said.
Members of the hugely successful pop group One Direction have said they are "completely heartbroken" by the death of fellow member Liam Payne, who fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires.
In Argentina, an autopsy showed the 31-year-old British singer "may have lapsed into a state of semi- or complete unconsciousness" before his death, according to prosecutors.
"We are completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing and when everyone is fit we will have something to say," One Direction bandmates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik said in a statement circulated on social media.
"But for now, we will take some time off to grieve and process the loss of our brother whom we loved dearly," they said.
"The memories we shared with him will be cherished forever. (...) We love you, Liam."
Payne was found dead after hotel staff called emergency services twice to report a "guest who was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and destroying his room".
"I don't know if the guest's life is in danger. But he has a room with a balcony, and we're a little afraid he might do something life-threatening," said one of the employees.
Autopsy results show Payne "was alone at the time of the fall," prosecutors said.
The singer had suffered "multiple traumas" and "internal and external bleeding."
Payne's family released a statement saying he will be remembered for "his kind, funny and brave soul." | BGNES
