Somber Niall Horan breaks cover in London hours after Liam Payne’s death
Niall Horan was spotted for the first time in London, just hours after his ex-One Direction bandmate Liam Payne’s shocking death in Argentina.
The 31-year-old singer broke cover on Thursday with his girlfriend, Amelia Woolley, and their dog.
The somber-looking singer wore a golf club cap and green jacket, paired with dark shades.
Payne died on Oct. 16 at 31, with officials initially saying he “had jumped from the balcony of his room” at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina; however, the autopsy report said he had fallen.
Pablo Policicchio, communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, told Page Six that investigators are still working to determine if it was an accident or intentional.
Horan was likely the last One Direction star to see Payne alive, as Liam went to his Buenos Aires concert on Oct. 2, just two weeks before his shocking death.
Following the tragedy, the other members of One Direction — Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson — released a heartfelt statement on Thursday.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they wrote on Instagram. “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,” the statement continues. “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. Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Tomlinson was the first 1D bandmate to share a solo tribute to Payne.
“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” his post reads. “I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”
The singer’s statement continues, “A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”
Giving a nod to Payne and Cheryl Cole’s seven-year-old son, Bear, Tomlinson concluded, “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. I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.”
Malik also posted a touching tribute, writing to his late bandmate that “even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.”
One Direction quickly rose to fame in 2010, with Simon Cowell putting the group together after the band members auditioned individually for “The X Factor.”
It became one of the highest-selling boy bands of all time, selling 70 million records worldwide, with hits like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life.”
Malik left the group in 2015 to pursue a solo career. Despite telling fans the band wasn’t breaking up, One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016 — but the boys still supported each other.
Payne fractured his skull and died instantly of “very serious injuries,” medical officials confirmed on Thursday.
The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 16 also revealed that the position of Payne’s body and the injuries he received indicated he “did not adopt a reflex posture to protect himself” and may have “fallen while in a state of semi or total unconsciousness.”
Shocking images show Payne’s trashed hotel room, littered with drug paraphernalia and alcohol. It was also reported two women were in the singer’s room in the hours before his death.
The singer had struggled with substance abuse in the past and went to rehab as recently as last year. He told fans that he was six months sober in a YouTube video from July 2023.
Follow along with The Post’s coverage of Liam Payne’s tragic death at 31
“I just needed to take a little bit of time out for myself actually, because I kind of became somebody who I didn’t really recognize anymore,” Payne says in the video. “And I’m sure you guys didn’t either. I was in bad shape up until that point and I was really happy to kind of put a stopper to life and work.”
Payne left behind one child, son Bear, 7, whom he shared with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole.
Following his death, his family released a statement.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” his loved ones said. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”