Liam Payne's sister Nicola reveals how she discovered news of his tragic death in emotional tribute

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Liam Payne’s older sister Nicola Payne has shared her grief publicly, revealing in a heartfelt Instagram tribute that she first learned of her brother’s death through a news alert on her phone.

Payne tragically died on October 16 at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Nicola Payne recalls the moment she learned news of Liam Payne's death

Recounting the moment she discovered the tragic news of her brother Liam's death, Nicola expressed her initial disbelief and sorrow.

"When I saw the news pop up on my phone that you had left us, I went cold. I wanted so much for this to be untrue," she wrote.

In her emotional message, Nicola praised her brother as a kind-hearted soul who "lived for making people smile and happy."

"You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy," she said.

Nicola Payne shares fond memories of Liam Payne

Nicola Payne's post also revealed personal reflections on their sibling relationship as she explained why they did not have many photos together.

"We never wanted you to feel like you were in a room of fans, but we were your biggest fans always and forever," she shared.

Recalling the singer's excitement at the birth of her daughter Ffion, Nicola wrote, "I have been looking back at the messages from the night I had Ffion, how excited you were to meet her, the jokes we all shared, and the laughter that you knew we all needed."

Nicola Payne remembers Liam Payne's talent and legacy

Praising Liam Payne's remarkable talent, Nicola Payne stated that he lived by the motto, "Why bother doing something unless you are brilliant at it."

She also addressed the struggles the former One Direction member faced in the public eye, noting that people were often too quick to judge him based on fleeting moments seen online.

"Unfortunately, this cruel world is always too quick to judge someone from a few five-second clips. They then think it entitles them to be able to speak like they know you. We knew you, and we loved you," emphasized Nicola, according to Daily Mail.

Concluding her tribute with a promise to keep Liam’s memory alive for his son, Bear, she wrote, "We will make sure Bear knows about his daddy and how much you loved him, we promise this."

Liam’s other older sister, Ruth Gibbins, also paid an emotional tribute to the singer on Saturday, October 19, stating that she didn’t feel the world "was good or kind enough" to her brother.

The family is now focused on bringing Liam home and their father, Geoff Payne, traveled to Buenos Aires to arrange the repatriation of Liam’s body.

He was seen stopping outside the hotel where Liam died, reading through the many tributes, letters, and cards left by fans.