Liam Payne’s Sister Says She Learned of His Death from News Alert on Her Phone: ‘I Went Cold’

Liam Payne’s sister, Nicola, is paying tribute to her brother following his death at age 31 on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

On Monday, Oct. 21, Nicola posted a touching message on Instagram honoring Liam’s life and promising to look after his 7-year-old son Bear, shared with his ex Cheryl.

Nicola’s post began, “I have posted about Liam and his achievements over the years with a proud sister alert and that has stood then, now and always!!!”

“When I saw the news pop up on my phone that you had left us I went cold, I wanted so much for this to be untrue,” she continued. “I have spent days hoping that it was a mistake and somebody has got it wrong. You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy.”

Nicola added that her brother had always shown people “kindness,” and wrote that the outpouring of tributes following his death “confirmed what we always knew.”

In her tribute, Nicola shared that Liam’s family didn’t often take photos with him because they “never wanted him to feel like he was in a room of fans, but we were your biggest fans now and forever.”

“Your talent alone puts you miles ahead, but also you being you,” she continued. “I have been looking back at the messages from the night I had Ffion, how excited you were to meet her, the jokes we all shared and the laughter that you knew we all needed.”

She said her brother’s motto was “why bother doing something unless you are brilliant at it, and Liam you were certainly brilliant at everything you did!!”

“Unfortunately this cruel world is always to quick to judge someone from a few 5 second clips, they then think it entitles them to be able to speak like they know you. We knew you and we loved you,” she added. “I hope you have finally found peace up there and that you’ll continue to look after us all as you have done in life. We will make sure Bear knows about his daddy and how much you loved him, we promise this.”

Nicola concluded her post by writing, “See you soon, Liam, Love You xx.”

Liam’s sister included several family photos with her post. In one, the pair and their sister Gibbins smiled in front of a floral background surrounded by balloons. In another, the singer appeared to walk alongside his niece, while the final shot in her carousel was a photo of the three siblings with their parents, Karen and Geoff.

Nicola’s tribute arrived after the former One Direction singer’s other sister, Ruth Gibbins, shared a similar message on Instagram on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Liam was pronounced dead after falling several stories from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 16, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE.

After Liam’s death was confirmed, his family released a statement addressing their loss.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” they told the BBC and other outlets. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”