One Direction members 'devastated' by Liam Payne's death

Fans light candles as they pay tribute to the late British singer Liam Payne at the Obelisco in Buenos Aires on Oct. 17, 2024.

The members of hugely successful pop group One Direction said Thursday they were "completely devastated" by the death of bandmate Liam Payne, who fell from the balcony of his Buenos Aires hotel room at the age of 31.

Family members said they were "heartbroken" as condolences poured in from the world of music, fans and the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Singer Rita Ora interrupted a concert saying she "can't even sing." NSYNC said the bandmates were "deeply saddened." And the Backstreet Boys as well as Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood were also among those who paid tribute to the British singer.

In Argentina, an autopsy suggested that Payne had not tried to stop his fall on Wednesday, and "may have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness" before his death.

"We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say," One Direction bandmates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik said on social media.

"But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly," they said.

In a separate tribute on Instagram, Styles said Payne's "greatest joy was making other people happy."

"The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend," he wrote.

Tomlinson described Payne as "the kind brother I'd longed all my life for."

"Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction," he said on Instagram.

"His experience from a young age, his perfect...