Liam Payne‘s sister Ruth Gibbins has issued a heartfelt tribute to her late brother, apologising that she “couldn’t save him”.
On Wednesday, the entertainment world was left devastated after it was confirmed that the 31-year-old One Direction star died following a fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Since the heartbreaking news, folks close to the star — including his former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik — have issued beautiful statements celebrating Payne’s life and his impact on the music industry.
On Saturday (Australian time), Payne’s sister Gibbins issued a heartfelt statement reflecting on her brother’s life, his passion for music and the memories they shared.
“I don’t believe this is happening. Many times have I poured my heart out publicly but never life as his sister,” Gibbins wrote in an Instagram Post, before writing that Liam is her “best friend”.
“I used to love picking him up from work when it all started, especially after concerts, speeding us away from venues or appearances, Liam plugging in his phone to show me the new songs for albums.
“Liam loved 1D, he loved his brothers and we talked about it so much.”
Gibbins went on to say that Liam “was born with music in his veins” and that she knew he would become a star. She then revealed that she’d keep a list of notes on her phone titled “Things To Tell Liam” for when he returned from working away.
In the second part of her statement, Gibbins continued to reflect on how her brother always made her laugh and how talented he was before writing that she didn’t feel “this world was good enough or kind enough” for him in recent years.
“You’ve had to really try hard to overcome all that was being aimed at you,” she continued.
“You just wanted to be loved and to make people happy with your music. You never believed you were good enough, I hope you can now see this outpouring of love that you never received in your time.”
Closing her tribute, Gibbins said she was “sorry [she] couldn’t save” Payne and how she’d “drive to the end of the universe to bring [him] back”.
Gibbins’ beautiful tribute comes days after her family issued an official statement to the public, writing that they’re “heartbroken” with Payne’s death.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” the family shared.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Investigations into Payne’s death are currently ongoing. However, reports indicate the artist fell from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Argentina.
Image source: Instagram / Ruth Gibbins (@roo0990)
