One Direction stars attended Liam Payne’s funeral in the UK

“COMPLETELY DESTROYED”

Payne rose to fame as a teenager alongside Styles, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik after appearing on British talent show The X Factor 14 years ago.

A post-mortem examination found he died from “multiple injuries” and “internal and external bleeding” after falling from his hotel room.

The balcony adjacent to his room overlooked a backyard about 14 meters high.

Hotel staff twice called emergency services to report a guest “high on drugs and alcohol” who was “destroying” the hotel room.

Investigators said he was alone at the time and appeared to be “experiencing a substance abuse episode.”

In a short statement following his death, Payne’s family said: “We are heartbroken. “Liam will live in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

One Direction said they were “completely devastated” by his death.

Since forming in 2010, the group has released an album of radio-ready songs every year for the holiday shopping season and has become one of the most profitable live acts in the world.

In 2016, after Malik’s departure, the group announced that they were taking an indefinite hiatus, but did not disband.

Payne’s first solo single, Strip That Down, peaked at number three on the UK charts and number 10 on Billboard’s US Top Songs list.

But in recent years, he has spoken publicly about his struggles with substance abuse and dealing with fame from an early age.

His latest solo effort, the single Teardrops, was released in March, and a second album was announced at the same time.

Payne was born and raised in Wolverhampton, central England.