Louis Tomlinson Makes Promise to Liam Payne's Son in Heartbreaking Tribute After Singer's Death: 'I Will Be the Uncle He Needs'

Mar. 15, 2025

Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne.Photo: rune hellestad/Corbis via Getty

Louis Tomlinsonis showing support forLiam Payne’sson following the singer’s tragic death.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, the One Direction alum, 32, shared a lengthy tributeon Instagramto his former bandmate, who died on Wednesday, Oct. 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As Tomlinson took a minute to honor his “brother,” he noted that he will always be there for Payne’s 7-year-old sonBear Grey, whom Payne shares with ex Cheryl.

“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was,” Tomlinson wrote in his statement.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

On Oct. 16, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE that Payne was pronounced dead after falling multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentine news channelTNwas the first to report the news.

In a statement translated from Spanish, Alberto Crescenti (the head of SAME, Buenos Aires' public emergency medical services system) told TN that Payne fell into the hotel’s internal courtyard.

According to a preliminary autopsy report, the “Teardrops” performer died from multiple injuries and “internal and external” hemorrhages afterfalling from his hotel balcony.

The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE that Payne died from multiple injuries and “internal and external” hemorrhages.

Liam Payne.Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

“I didn’t get any dad socks yet,” Payne first joked. “But I am going to speak to my son in a little bit, which I’m really excited about. Bless him.”

He continued sweetly, “He’s so big now. He’s a big boy, and he looks like a mini-me.” Payne paused before adding, “As if we need any more me in the world.”

source: people.com