Cheryl has spoken about the “indescribably painful” death of her ex-partner Liam Payne, and urged people to “give Liam the little dignity he has left”.
The solo artist and former One Direction member died on Wednesday (October 16), following a fatal fall from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Argentine prosecutor’s office has revealed that the 31-year-old’s cause of death was due to multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.
Now, Cheryl, who was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018 and who shares a 7-year-old boy named Bear with the late singer, has shared a personal message on Instagram urging the media and the public to allow him to “rest in some peace at last”.
“As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she wrote.
“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. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.
“What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days,” she continued. “It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.”
Alongside a black-and-white photograph of Payne and Bear together, Cheryl added: “I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.”
“Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last,” she concluded.
TMZ was widely criticised for publishing a photograph of part of Payne’s body after the fatal fall, a decision that the site’s executive producer has since defended (via the Mirror).
Local police said they seized alcohol and drug substances including clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, from Payne’s hotel room, which they say they found in “complete disarray”.
Tributes have been pouring in for the singer over the last two days, including a joint statement from One Direction’s surviving members – Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles – in which they said that they would need time “to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Horan shared his own reflections, saying: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
Payne’s family have also issued a statement, saying: “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.”
Simon Cowell, who signed One Direction to his Syco label after their run on The X Factor in 2010, also wrote a touching tribute in which he said he “feels empty” and “heartbroken” by his death.
Sharon Osbourne – who was also a judge on The X Factor, although not on the 2010 season – accused the music industry of “letting down” Liam Payne following his death.
“Liam, my heart aches,” she said. “We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend.”