PHOTOS: Liam Payne's former 'One Direction' bandmates gather for pop star's funeral

Liam Payne's loved ones, including the former members of the boy band "One Direction," gathered at a U.K. church Wednesday for a funeral in honor of the pop star.

Photos show Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson among those who grieved during a private service at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Simon Cowell was seen embracing Payne's parents, Geoff and Karen, at the service, while Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and his ex-girlfriend, Cheryl, were also in attendance.

They mourned as Payne's coffin, adorned in flowers, arrived in a white horse-drawn hearse. Floral arrangements spelled out the words "Son" and "Daddy," as Payne shared a child, 7-year-old Bear with Cheryl.

Payne plunged to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina Oct. 16. The 31-year-old singer was found dead outside the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, said Alberto Crescenti, who is the director of emergency services in Buenos Aires.

Video on social media shows him smiling with fans only an hour before he died, leaving everyone wondering what happened ahead of his sudden passing.

Pablo Policicchio, who is the spokesman for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires, told The Associated Press Payne "had thrown himself from the balcony of his room."

Policicchio said police responded to the hotel shortly after 5 p.m. local time for an emergency call about an "aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

Medics arrived within minutes and Payne was pronounced dead.

Two photos immediately started circulating on social media, with media outlets claiming the images were from the scene.

One of the photos appeared to show a white powdery substance, as well as tin foil, a melted tea light candle, a lighter, and an empty soap box. The second photo shows what looked like a TV with a smashed screen.

Prosecutors in Argentina later said Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he fell.

A few weeks after Payne's body was found, authorities announced the arrests of three people, charging each of them with "abandonment of a person followed by death" and "supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics."

His death left his loved ones in shock.

"My heart is shattered in ways I can't put into words," Cassidy wrote on Instagram, addressing Payne. "I wish you could see the huge impact you've had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now. You brought so much happiness and positivity yo everyone -- millions of fans, your family, friends, and especially me. You are so incredibly loved."

Cassidy traveled to Argentina with Payne last month, as they arrived there Sept. 30. She chronicled their ventures, sharing a "travel vlog"on TikTok.

Several posts followed, showing the two of them going to concerts, out to eat, bowling, getting coffees, and various other activities. By Oct. 13, Cassidy leaves Argentina and returns to Florida.

"I was so ready to leave, honestly," she says in a post, adding that the trip was planned for five days but was extended to two weeks.

"I was just like, 'I need to go home.'"

Three days later, Payne was gone.

"We are heartbroken,"Payne's family say in a statement. "Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

One Direction formed in 2010 after the five teenagers auditioned for “The X-Factor” as solo acts and were brought together by Cowell, a judge on the show. With their loyal fan base of “Directioners” they became one of the most successful boy bands of all time.

After the group split in 2016, Payne embarked on a solo career which failed to match the success of One Direction. He was also open about struggling with his mental health and alcohol amid the pressures of fame.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or substance abuse issues, call 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help is also available online at chat.988lifeline.org.

__________

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.