Liam Payne’s cousin, Ross Harris, revealed how the family found out about the One Direction’s tragic death in October. On the six-month anniversary of the singer’s death, which saw him fall from the third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel, Ross took to his Instagram page to share his “thoughts about my cousin and his passing”.
Ross said the family found out about his death through X, formerly known as Twitter. Ross had to text Liam’s sister as she “didn’t know at the time”. He said in a statement: “I haven’t known what to say since October 16th, the day I had a missed call from Liam, not knowing it would be our last conversation.
“The media circus and social media gossip is one reason I’ve stayed away from saying anything – because as you can imagine, it’s been a nightmare for our family and those closest to him.
“We found out about Liams rumoured accident on twitter and within 30 minutes his death was confirmed on every major news outlet before any family had been informed. I had to text his sister – she didn’t know at the time.”
He continued: “Today I felt like I had to write something, to try and give myself something that feels like a small step towards closure. It won’t stop the sleepless nights and what if’s, but in a selfish way maybe it’ll help a little.
“It barely scratches the surface, but it’s a start. He wasn’t at his happiest towards the end – fame at that level comes at a serious cost – but he definitely didn’t want this, or to leave his life and loved ones behind.”
Ross also shared his thoughts on the circumstances surrounding Liam’s death. He told followers: “And for those wondering, yes, the circumstances he found himself in on his last day were completely avoidable. Maybe justice will be done one day, and maybe truths will come out.
“Until then, and regardless of everything else, we miss you everyday Liam.”
Liam’s sister Ruth also paid tribute to him on Wednesday, admitting her “head is still screaming for you. Each morning on waking, I feel like I am plunged underwater, gasping for air that never comes to relieve me.”
In the lengthy post, Ruth said living without him there has been impossible before saying she’s been learning to laugh and smile.
She also said: “I can sometimes hear you laughing at me walking around like Whoopi Goldberg in ‘ghost’, looking for you everywhere I go. I see you though, you’re always coming through in different ways to put me back on the right path.
“I can’t process what’s happened and the finality of it, you know I will never stop doing all I can for you.
“I miss you loudly, quietly and in all the moments inbetween. Love you so much more than these words or my tears are capable of expressing but I know you know this. For now, I’ll meet you in my dreams.”
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