Liam’s family are devastated with the tragic loss of their child and brother (Image: Nti Media Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)The body of singer Liam Payne is expected to be flown back to the UK this week “back where he belongs” with his family, as his devoted father refuses to leave his side. In Buenos Aires, where the One Direction star met a tragic end after falling from his hotel balcony, officials have not yet released his body pending final pathology tests. A source shared: “Liam’s loved ones just want him home, back where he belongs among his family. As they await the pathologist to finish their tests, behind the scenes, they have been tackling the logistics about how best to get his body back to the UK. There are no direct commercial flights between Buenos Aires and London, but naturally, they want the flight to have the least stops and interruptions possible. But Geoff is determined to accompany his son home.”
Liam Payne’s body is hoped to be flown home this week ‘back where he belongs’
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Officials in Argentina anticipate that the results will be ready soon and have not dismissed the possibility of them being available imminently. While chartering a private jet is an option, it’s complicated by the fact that few can make the 6,915-mile journey without stopping for fuel. Meanwhile, fans across the globe, known as ‘Directioners’, have been gathering in cities like London, New York, Paris, Stockholm, and Colombia to mourn the loss of the star. Fans of the late Liam, whose death was revealed on Wednesday evening, have been paying their respects by leaving flowers, heartfelt messages, and singing his songs. They gathered at iconic locations such as the Peter Pan statue in London’s Hyde Park and the Tuileries Garden in Paris. Ellie Markham, a 23 year old fan from Brighton, travelled to Hyde Park to pay her respects. She shared: “I just wanted to be here to pay my respects and let Liam’s family know all Directioners are thinking of them. He will forever be in our hearts.”
A source said Liam’s dad, Geoff, ‘is determined to accompany his son home’
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free Liam tragically lost his life after falling from the balcony of his third-floor suite at the CasaSur Hotel in Palmero, Buenos Aires. Witnesses reported seeing him behaving unusually in the hotel lobby before his fatal fall last Wednesday. Police discovered prescription drugs, energy supplements, and other medications scattered around his suite, along with various broken items. Items including a whiskey bottle, a lighter, and a mobile phone were found in the hotel’s internal courtyard where Liam’s body was discovered. Images from inside his room revealed what seemed to be drug paraphernalia and a smashed television. Liam had travelled to Argentina to watch his bandmate Niall Horan perform live. However, it’s been reported that his US visa was rejected, leading him to travel to Buenos Aires to renew his “extraordinary visa”, which would then allow him to journey to Florida with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.
Fans have been paying their respects outside the hotel
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Unfortunately, sources suggest this wasn’t immediately granted due to his past struggles with substance abuse, resulting in him having to stay in Argentina. Liam had openly discussed his battles with addiction and his stints in rehab in an attempt to get better. Liam was said to be completely sober in the lead up to his death. Now, sources are claiming that his visa was set to be approved on the Friday, just two days after he tragically fell from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room. Friends of Liam have stated that he had to go abroad to renew his “O-1 non-immigration” visa and submitted the application at the American embassy in Buenos Aires, specifically so he could see Niall perform.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnLiam PayneNiall HoranOne Direction
