ZAYN Malik is reportedly ‘in absolute bits’ after finding out about Liam Payne’s shock death ‘in the early hours of the morning’.
The ex-One Direction star died aged 31 after tragically falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday afternoon.
A source close to Zayn, also 31, has now shared how his former bandmate has been coping with the devastating news.
A US music producer currently working with him told DailyMail.com how the hitmaker is surrounded by loved ones as they “don’t want him to be alone” during this difficult time.
They said: “He is in shock, and his parents have been in touch with Liam’s family to offer their support and condolences.”
The source went on to reveal the pair hadn’t spoken in “a while” due to previous disputes but “respected each other from a distance”.
“They didn’t hate each other but they couldn’t see eye to eye on different things.
“But they both felt that they had been exploited in the music industry.”
The Sun has contacted Zayn’s representatives for comment.
Liam and Zayn were both singers in One Direction between 2010 and 2014, when the latter quit to go solo.
Things weren’t always smooth sailing between them, with Liam’s ex-girlfriend Maya Henry telling fans about a violent altercation in a recent TikTok.
During an appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast in 2022, Liam revealed there was once an argument backstage that erupted into violence, with one of his former bandmates pinning him against a wall.
Since then, fans had been theorising over who out of Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn or Harry Styles it was.
Duetting a video from a Directioner, Maya finally put the mystery to bed this month, explaining: “I see this all the time, everywhere, I’ve heard this insufferable story so many times.
“He told me it was Zayn, so…”
Cops probing Liam’s death are reportedly searching for two potentially key witnesses who could be among the last people to see him alive.
Police are now looking for two women who were allegedly with Liam the night before his untimely death, Argentine outlet Infobae reports.
It is understood that both women then left the Hotel CasaSur without him after waiting for the Brit in the lobby.
The women, if identified, could help determine what happened in the hours before Liam’s tragic death.
There is no indication that the women could be involved in any way in the star’s fatal fall.
Investigators reportedly seized bottle of whiskey, a lighter, a phone and a notebook found in the pop star’s suite, according to Infobae.
Troubling images have emerged showing white powder, burnt aluminium foil and a smashed TV screen inside Liam’s hotel room.
Several photos show inside the former One Direction singer’s luxury suite at the upmarket Hotel CasaSur Palermo.
They appear to show traces of a white powder and burnt aluminium foil in the bathroom and living area.
A green lighter and a container of Dove soap is also sat on what looks like a messy table in the trashed room.
Clarin, Argentina’s biggest newspaper, first published the images alongside a report saying: “Damage and drugs in the hotel room Liam Payne was staying in in Buenos Aires.”
Cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are but are due to run tests on them shortly.
A smashed TV can also be seen in the room next to a half-drunk champagne glass.
Clarin and several other outlets like La Nacion confirmed the photos were taken after Liam was found unresponsive outside.
SHOCKED friends, family and fans have paid heartbreaking tributes to Liam as news of the singer's death circulated across the world.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
And a haunting photo – said to be his last one – shows the 31-year-old going back to Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo on Wednesday.
The picture was shared by local America TV and shows the singer leaning against a wall wearing the same clothes he was seen in earlier.
The presenters said it was the last time he was seen alive just moments before he got the lift to his hotel room.
Liam was in Buenos Aires for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s tour when he died after falling from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti said initial findings point towards him fracturing his skull.
A final 911 call from hotel staff on Wednesday revealed they needed “urgent assistance” from cops to help with a guest “behaving erratically”.
Liam had shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death showing himself with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.
Tributes have poured in for the singer with celebrities and fans alike sharing their heartbreak.
