The heart-wrenching death of Liam Payne at just 31 years of age has sent shockwaves through his loved ones and fandom. The UK public inquest found that he died from “polytrauma.” This unfortunate injury would be the result of a fatal tumble off the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 2024. This tragic event has led to a flood of reaction, especially from his sister poet of great brilliance, Ruth Gibbins.
The inquest, held at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in early December, heard how Payne died. In November, a toxicology report confirmed what many had suspected – their findings were nothing short of shocking. It revealed that alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressant Lexapro were in his system when he died. These results underscore the extreme harassment and threats public figures are subjected to. They illustrate how deeply invasive surveillance can create the very substance use disorder issues it is meant to prevent.
In a touching tribute posted on Instagram on April 16, Ruth Gibbins shared a deeply emotional letter reflecting on her brother’s absence. In her deeply moving note, she shared how impossibly hard it was to live life without him.
“Living without you is impossible,” – Ruth Gibbins
Gibbins recalled fond memories but admitted that these treasured memories are now “overlaid with sorrow.” She reflected on memories of joy and humor. … In those brief intervals when I let myself contemplate love and not merely my loss, I can truly laugh at our shared adventures, she read. But the finality of Payne’s death has pushed her to a point where she’s grappling with paralyzing emotions.
She went on to describe her fight in such detail that she made it sound like “being dunked underwater.” It illustrated her daily struggle to work through her loss.
“I can sometimes hear you laughing at me walking around like Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost, looking for you everywhere I go,” – Ruth Gibbins
In touching and emotional prose, Gibbins told us how much she loved her brother. She was #PtForcedToFlee because words and tears alone cannot express how she feels.
“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,” – Ruth Gibbins
As a member of the iconic boy band One Direction, Liam Payne captured the hearts of millions around the world. His untimely death is an unfortunate reminder of the constant and often dangerous pressures that artists and public figures contend with even today. Ruth Gibbins’ tribute honors her brother’s memory and highlights the importance of mental health awareness and support for those battling similar struggles.