Liam Payne’s grieving sister Nicola has spoken out for the first time after the singer’s death.

The former One Direction star died at the age of 31 last Wednesday (October 16) after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires. His sister has now paid a heartbreaking tribute to her sibling on social media, where she admitted she “went cold” after hearing news of his passing.

“When I saw the news pop up on my phone that you had left us I went cold,” she wrote in her statement on Monday (October 21). “I wanted so much for it to be untrue. I spent days hoping that it was a mistake.”

“You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who lived to make people smile and be happy. You have always shown kindness to everyone you met and it shows with just how many people have confirmed what we always knew!”

“We don’t have many pictures together as we never really did that as a family, we never wanted you to feel like you were in a room of fans. But we were your biggest fans – always and forever.”

She continued: “Your talent alone puts you miles ahead, but also you being you. you led your life with a motto of why bother doing something unless you are brilliant at it. Liam, you were certainly brilliant at everything you did!”

She also hit out at those being cruel to Liam before his death. She added: “Unfortunately, this cruel world is always too quick to judge someone from a five second clips, they think it entities them to be able to speak like they know you. We knew you and we loved you.”

“I hope that you finally found some peace up there and that you always continue to look after us all as you have done in life. We’ll make sure Bear knows about his daddy and how much you loved him. We promise this.” She signed off with: “See you soon Liam. Love you xx.”

The singer’s horrific death is being treated as “inconclusive” by police as they investigate what happened at the hotel in Buenos Aries, reports the Mirror. A post-mortem examination has revealed he died from multiple injuries after the fall, which was from the third floor of the hotel,.

Lead investigator, prosecutor Marcelo Roma, has called for histopathological, biochemical and toxicological studies to be carried out, to confirm whether the much loved star was drugged and intoxicated.

Liam’s other sister Ruth released her own emotional tribute to Liam. In part of her statement, she wrote: “I don’t believe this is happening. Many times have I poured my heart out publicly with pride about Liam but never much about life as his sister.

“Liam is my best friend, no one could ever make me laugh as much as him, doing his impressions always had me creasing and he loved seeing how much of a laugh he could get.”

“Liam, my brain is struggling to catch up with what’s happening and I don’t understand where you’ve gone. What I do love most about you is your ability to make me laugh, I never chuckle as much as I do when I’m with you with anyone else.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you,” she added. “One last time I need you to know, I’m here if you need anything, I’d drive to the end of the universe to bring you back.”

In a joint statement, Liam’s family said they were “heartbroken” at his loss. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” they wrote. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”