Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer 'trying to process news' as she thanks people for support after singer's death

Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer is 'trying to process the news' as she thanks people for support after the death of the singer.

The dancer dated Payne during the early One Direction years, from the year the band formed on The X Factor in 2010 until 2012.

The 31-year-old dad died on Wednesday (16 October) following a fall from the third floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Payne's sister paid tribute earlier today after his dad visited the scene with fans shielding him from cameras.

And as tributes flood in from celebrities, Peazer issued a statement on her Instagram Stories this afternoon, writing: "Over the last few days I've been trying to process the news of Liam's death."

Having welcomed her first child with partner Sonny Jay earlier this year, the model continued: "Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to call, text, or DM sending condolences and offering support. I'm so grateful and it's helped more than you know.

"In time I will share more, but right now I don't feel mentally strong enough to face the reality of what's happened.

"Like all of us, I too am grieving, and need to take some time to do that privately. It's a heartbreaking time, which has already been made so much more challenging due to receiving negative and misinformed comments as well pre-conceived judgement from those who don't personally know me, Liam, or anything about our relationship over the last 14 years.

"I will be back soon when I'm ready, but until then please take care of yourselves and each other."

A preliminary post-mortem confirmed he died from 'internal and external haemorrhaging' while five people are now being questioned by police in connection to the death of the singer.

According to Argentinian news outlet Clarin, two criminal charges are being pursed as questioning of three employees at the hotel and two women who had been in Payne's room earlier in the day is taking place.

"The prosecution announced that beyond reconstructing the circumstances of the musician's death, the investigation is also aimed at determining the possible involvement of third parties in the events prior to the death of the victim," police published in an official statement.

As friends, family and One Direction issued tributes to Payne, Simon Cowell also said directly to him: "You never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared."