Ruth Gibbins Honors Liam Payne on Funeral Anniversary

Liam Payne’s sister Ruth Gibbins has shared a devastating tribute to her brother on the anniversary of his funeral.  

The former One Direction star died at the age of 31 in October last year after plunging from a hotel balcony in Argentina. 

His funeral was held on November 20 at Saint Mary’s Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

And on Thursday, which was the anniversary of the funeral, his sister Ruth, 34, shared a heartbreaking tribute.

Sharing a picture of herself and Liam during his X Factor days, Ruth wrote: ‘A year ago today, the hardest goodbye I’ll ever have, a funeral I never should have had to plan and everyday since, I never should have had to live without him. 

‘Missing him is now part of breathing. It doesn’t get easier, it that’s just a lie to make it feel better.

‘Infinite love, infinite loss.’

Last month, Liam’s older sister Nicola posted a heartbreaking tribute to him describing his loss as a ‘pain that will never heal’ as she marked the one-year anniversary since his death.

She shared several intimate photos in her tribute and touchingly revealed how the family have kept his memory alive for his son Bear, eight, so he could ‘know all about his amazing daddy’.

In her poignant message she also revealed how she has tried to make sure his niece Ffion remembers her uncle by comparing him to a ‘star in the sky’ and a ‘rainbow, butterfly, a cloud’.

Tragically she recounted how she had been sitting at home with Ffion when news broke of her brother’s horrific hotel plunge. 

It was revealed earlier this month his inquest has been delayed until next year after a coroner called for full reports and eyewitness statements over his death, a pre-inquest review heard today.

Senior Coroner Crispin Butler told a three-minute hearing at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court that there are ‘continuing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances surrounding Liam’s death’.

Liam’s sudden death sparked an outpouring of grief and vigils were held across the world. 

A post-mortem examination report said Liam died of multiple traumas and ‘internal and external haemorrhage’ after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.

A court in Argentina dropped charges in February of criminal negligence against three out of the five people who had been charged in connection with Liam’s death.

The coroner has been forwarded initial documentation relating to the autopsy conducted in Argentina and an initial police scene report, Mr Butler added.

This documentation will be formally translated with subsequent liaison with Payne’s family.

The coroner will seek to procure full reports including eyewitness statements.

He said: ‘We will continue to liaise with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to seek to procure full reports, eyewitness statements and other relevant evidence to assess in due course to address the statutory questions at a final inquest… namely who the deceased was, a final medical cause of death, when, where and how he came by his death.’

The inquest was adjourned until a further pre-inquest review on May 7, 2026 at 10am.

After his band went on hiatus Liam launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo, and the track For You with Rita Ora.

Dozens of fans gathered outside the hotel where Liam fell on the anniversary of his death, where a shrine was set up to remember the singer.

Meanwhile, mourners also paid tribute to the late star in his home city of Wolverhampton. 

Liam left a staggering £24million legacy after tragically dying without a will. He never married but he and former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl had Bear together.

Court documents show Payne granted the power of administration of his estate to Cheryl.

It is likely that the fortune will be placed in trust for Liam’s son under UK rules of intestacy, where the person’s estate is usually passed to the lawful spouse or their nearest blood relative.