The Payne family has been devastated by the terrible loss of former One Direction star Liam Payne.
He died on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from the third-story balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel.
The 31-year-old singer’s unexpected death stunned fans and family alike, with tributes flooding in from all over the world.
Fans staged memorial ceremonies around the UK and beyond, while Payne’s bandmates, former girlfirend Cheryl, and music mogul Simon Cowell expressed their condolences.
Geoff Payne, Liam’s father, rushed to Buenos Aires quickly after getting the tragic news. His aim was to transport his son’s remains back to the UK for a befitting farewell, something the family urgently needed at this difficult time.
Despite his attempts, the family has been unable to return Liam’s body to his birthplace. The reason for the delay is an ongoing inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death, which has left his family in a heartbreaking situation.
According to initial reports, Liam sustained many injuries as a result of the 40-foot fall, and a preliminary post-mortem revealed both internal and external hemorrhaging.
However, the toxicological and histopathology results that could conclude the investigation remain incomplete.
Dr. Cristian Poletti, a criminal law specialist, said that in circumstances of suspected criminality, no body can be released until toxicological results are obtained.
These results typically take seven to 15 days, and the wait has added to the family’s distress.
Complicating matters, officials are currently studying Payne’s mobile devices, security footage, and hotel staff comments to piece together the circumstances that led up to his death.
The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office stated that these expert studies require further time for full assessment.
Preliminary toxicology results revealed traces of cocaine in Liam’s system, but officials cautioned that these early findings do not reflect the exact levels in his blood at the time of his death.
As investigators keep digging into the case, more questions have arisen.
While Geoff Payne has stated a willingness to cooperate with the investigation and supply any information that may be useful, he remains powerless in the face of bureaucratic delays.
The heartache of not being able to bring Liam home has just contributed to the family’s grief.
In a devastating twist, the family is left waiting for toxicology findings and a final decision from Argentine authorities.
Only if these results are confirmed and no suspicions remain will Liam Payne’s remains be returned to his bereaved family in the United Kingdom.
Until then, the family is still in Argentina, unable to say their final goodbyes.
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/@liampayne)
