Aliana Mawla is adding her words to a mountain of heartfelt Liam Payne tributes following the 31-year-old singer’s shocking death this week.
On Thursday (Oct. 17) — one day after the former One Direction star died after suffering a fatal fall from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina — the 26-year-old model shared a photo of Payne at a concert and wrote, “I’m sorry this happened to you,” according to People.
“Will forever love & miss you,” she added.
Mawla also shared a photo of Payne’s hands — distinguishable thanks to his “L” and “P” tattoos — holding what appears to be her hand. “Rest in paradise,” the influencer wrote.
Payne is believed to have dated Mawla after his split from ex-fiancée Maya Henry in 2022. The “Strip That Down” singer went on to date girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who also shared a tribute to Payne on Friday (Oct. 18).
“I have been at a complete loss,” Cassidy wrote on her Instagram Story. “Nothing about the past few days have felt real .. Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”
Payne died around 5:07 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 16), according to the preliminary autopsy report, which also revealed that he appeared to have been alone at the time. Investigators also believe that the star was potentially under the influence of substances when he fell from the third-story balcony of his hotel room, but are still waiting for further toxicology reports.
His death has inspired an outpouring of heartfelt messages from fans, fellow musicians and loved ones over the past 48 hours, including both a joint statement and individual tributes from Payne’s former bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. One Direction’s creator and former mentor Simon Cowell also wrote a testament to the singer Friday, as did Cheryl Cole, Payne’s ex-partner and the mother of his 7-year-old son, Bear.
“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son,” Cole wrote, sharing a black-and-white photo of Payne cuddling with a newborn Bear in bed. “A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”
