Former One Direction bandmates Niall Horan and Liam Payne shared an 'unbreakable bond,' ending their friendship 'on a good note' before Payne's untimely death, a source has revealed.
The 31-year-old singer tragically plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday, prompting a wave of tributes from across the world.
Payne had attended Horan's concert in Argentina on October 2, with an insider exclusively telling the DailyMail.com there was 'nothing but love' between the pair.
‘Liam had been on a music hiatus for the past years and hadn’t really been focused on his career since 2022,' the source explained.
They continued: 'For the following year, he was really determined to get well and stay sober.'
The insider admitted that Payne found it difficult to see his former bandmates flourish after the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
'It [their success] got to him and understandably so,' they explained.
'When Liam attended Niall’s show earlier this month, he really wanted to just tell him he was proud of him, and it was genuine.'
The source added the two of them had the chance to some spend time together, and 'at the end there was nothing but love between them.'
'Niall was so grateful for him coming to support him and his music,' they added.
'Their bond was unbreakable at the end and their friendship ended on a good note, so to speak.'
The insider added that Payne's death is 'unfathomable to everyone who knew and loved Liam.’
Just days before his death, Payne had told fans he and girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 37, were going to the Latin American country 'because they want to' and also because he 'would like to square up a couple of things' with his former bandmate.
The singer had documented his evening in a series of pictures posted on Snapchat, finishing with a selfie of himself and Horan captioned: 'Reunited,' with a love heart emoji.
Payne's former bandmembers have said they will miss the singer 'terribly' and will take some time to 'grieve and process' the loss.
'We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,' a statement posted to the One Direction Instagram read.
'In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
'The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.
'For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
'We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam,' they concluded the post, signing it: 'Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.'
Police investigating the sudden death of One Direction star are searching for two 'key witnesses' who could be among the last people to see him alive.
The singer died instantly after suffering multiple injuries that led to 'internal and external hemorrhaging'.
Payne's family today described feeling 'heartbroken' by his tragic and untimely death, adding that the former One Direction star will 'forever live in our hearts'.
Payne's relatives said in an emotional statement: 'We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
'We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.'
During their time as a band, One Direction won five Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, amassed over three billion YouTube views and sold 50 million records worldwide.
After releasing five albums with one of the biggest boybands of all time, Liam released his first solo album titled LP1 in 2019.
His single Strip That Down co-written with Ed Sheeran climbed its way to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same year.
Over the course of his music career, the popstar collaborated with the likes of J Balvin, French Montana, Dixie D'Amelio and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.
He was previously in a relationship with British pop sensation Cheryl Cole and the pair welcomed their son Bear Grey on March 22, 2017.
