Geoff Payne has returned to the hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his son Liam died last month as he awaits the return of his body to the UK for his funeral
Liam Payne’s heartbroken father Geoff returned to the solemn shrine that marks the scene of his son’s untimely death in Buenos Aires. Shortly after hearing the devastating news last month, he flew out to Argentina.
Tragically, 31-year-old Liam lost his life falling from his hotel room balcony on the third floor in the Argentine capital, leading to “internal and external haemorrhage” due to multiple traumas. While Liam’s body has been retained in Argentina for an autopsy and preparations for repatriation to the UK this week, his grieving dad paid another visit to Hotel CasaSur Palermo where the accident occurred.
Geoff was visibly moved as he viewed the poignant tributes left by devastated fans at the site of Liam’s fatal fall. Standing with Liam’s mourners, he held a red rose, which he tenderly added to the shrine alongside a candle provided by two emotional supporters.
Geoff has been spending time at the British Cemetery, awaiting his son’s body’s transfer back home, and received flowers from a chapel worker there.
The tragic incident has seen Geoff make repeated visits to the shrine since his arrival in Buenos Aires last month, pausing to reflect upon the heartfelt messages and memorials there, reports the Mirror.
One Direction’s former bodyguard, Paul Higgins, was accompanied by fans who formed a protective barrier as they entered the hotel. Geoff ascended to the second floor of CasaSur and peered down from the balcony at the spot where his son met his untimely end.
It is anticipated that Liam’s remains will be repatriated to the UK later this week, allowing his family to arrange his funeral. According to sources, Liam’s life will be honoured with a grand ceremony soon, expected to be a “very big send-off”.
A source told the Daily Mail: “Liam will have a very big send-off, quite probably at a large cathedral somewhere close to his heart. Liam was so loved by so many people that there will obviously be enormous demand, and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair. The details are still under wraps until they are definitively signed off but should be announced very soon.”
However, whether the memorial service will be distinct from the funeral remains uncertain. Reports suggest that thousands more well-wishers than the venue can hold are likely to congregate outside.
Liam’s funeral has been reported to be a private affair. As Radar Online was previously informed by a source: “His family want to keep his farewell low-key and respectful, as it’s what Liam would have wanted as he was so down to earth.”
“Liam will have a very big send off, quite probably at a large cathedral somewhere close to his heart. Liam was so loved by so many people, there will obviously be enormous demand and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair. The details are still under wraps until they are definitively signed off but should be announced very soon.”
“His family want to keep his farewell low-key and respectful, as it’s what Liam would have wanted as he was so down to earth.”
