The world is still reeling from the sudden and tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, and now his cousin, Ross Harris, is offering new insight into the singer’s final months. As fans mourn the loss of the beloved artist, Harris, in a heartfelt tribute, shared intimate details about their close relationship and Payne’s ongoing struggles before his passing.
On October 16, Payne, 31, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina, where he had been staying. While the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, new details have emerged regarding his mental state in the days leading up to the tragedy. Harris took to social media to express his grief, sharing home videos and personal photos of the cousins together. “My young cousin… it still doesn’t feel real, and probably never will,” he wrote, in a message that resonated with Payne’s fans across the globe.
Harris revealed that in recent months, he and Liam had rekindled their childhood bond, spending late nights together writing songs, making plans for future tours, and indulging in silly activities like doing impressions. “We didn’t need much to have a good time,” Harris recalled. “When you see someone after so long, and you both just fall back into being the same kids you were growing up, it’s something special.”
However, their time together was tragically cut short. On the night of his death, sources told ET that Payne had been acting erratically in the hotel. Witnesses claimed he did not seem to be in his right state of mind and may not have been fully conscious when he fell from the balcony. An autopsy later revealed a mix of drugs in his system, and the report concluded that he had not appeared to protect himself during the fall—an indication that he may have been disoriented at the time.
Payne had been open about his mental health struggles in the past. In a candid interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast three years ago, he discussed his battle with depression, admitting, “I was worried about how far my rock bottom was going to be… You would never have seen it, I’m very good at hiding it.” This raw confession is now haunting fans as more details about Payne’s final days come to light.
Harris reflected on Payne’s internal struggles, writing, “Regardless of what you were going through, and the demons you were fighting, you always wanted to help others and wanted everyone to win together. Hopefully, the world will remember this above everything else.” His cousin’s words paint a picture of Payne as someone who, despite his personal battles, remained focused on supporting those around him.
The pain of losing someone so young and talented is evident in Harris’ message: “Not everyone got to know the boy behind the pop star, outside of stadiums and studios, but I count myself very lucky that I did. Rest easy, little cousin. You were taken far too soon.”
As fans continue to pay tribute to Liam Payne, Ross Harris’ message serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and troubled life behind the celebrity persona—a life that was cut short just as Payne was planning a brighter future. While the details surrounding his death may still be unclear, the love and respect from those closest to him endure.
