Fans Mourn Liam Payne’s Death at London Memorial

Hundreds gathered Sunday in London’s Kensington Gardens to mourn Liam Payne as fans around the world grieved for the One Direction member who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday.

Directioners, as supporters of the massively successful British boy band are known, left tributes in London, Glasgow, Paris, Sydney, and New York as they celebrated the life of the 31-year-old singer.

In London, fans clapped and sang after gathering near a statue of Peter Pan, the fictional boy who never grew up created by J.M. Barrie. 

The mourners left heart-shaped balloons, photographs, and flowers at the base of the statue, which sits next to a narrow path next to a waterway known as The Long Water.

Mindful of the crowds in the limited space, organizers asked fans to leave their tributes and then move away to allow others to approach the statue.

The ceremony followed those that took place outside the Casa Sur Hotel in the chic Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital immediately after Payne fell from his third-floor hotel room. 

The four surviving members of One Direction issued a joint statement saying they were “completely devastated” by the death of their bandmate.

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. 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,” they wrote. 

Styles, Tomlinson, Malik, and Horan have all also written tributes to their late friend and bandmate.

In Paris’ Tuileries Gardens, hundreds of fans — many of them crying and carrying flowers — gathered to remember the late singer. They sang songs and consoled each other. Some lit candles. Others brought photos and artwork of Payne, as well as notes, letters, and bouquets. 

About 400 people attended the gathering, overlooking Paris’ historic Place de la Concorde.

One Direction rose to worldwide popularity soon after the band was formed in 2010 from five young singers who auditioned for the British TV talent show "The X Factor". The band broke up in 2016 after releasing five albums that sold more than 70 million copies.