Geoff Payne has been in Buenos Aires since his son Liam tragically fell to his death aged 31 two weeks ago, and has now returned to the hotel where the 1D star died
Liam Payne’s heartbroken father, Geoff Payne, has returned to the shrine at the scene of his son’s tragic death. Following Liam’s untimely passing last month, Geoff flew to Buenos Aires.
The 31 year old star tragically fell from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, leading to his death due to “internal and external hemorrhage”. Since then, Geoff has remained in Argentina where Liam’s body is being held for autopsy and preparation for its return to the UK later this week.
He revisited Hotel CasaSur Palermo, the site of Liam’s fatal fall. There, he took a moment to observe the floral tributes left by mourning fans.
Standing among the fans outside the hotel in the Argentine capital, Geoff was seen holding a red rose, which he later placed on the shrine. He also embraced two emotional fans who handed him a lit candle, which he placed at the base of the tree surrounded by floral tributes.
Geoff has been visiting the British Cemetery where Liam’s body is being held before its return to the UK. At a chapel there, an employee presented him with a bouquet of flowers, reports the Mirror.
Geoff had first visited the shrine upon his arrival in Argentina last month, where he inspected the tributes.
He was accompanied by Paul Higgins, One Direction’s former bodyguard, as fans formed a protective barrier around them as they entered the hotel. During their stay at CasaSur, Geoff went to the second-floor balcony, overlooking the spot where his son tragically passed away.
Liam’s body is expected to be returned to the UK later this week to prepare for his funeral. According to sources, a grand ceremony will be held to celebrate Liam’s life, described as 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, 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, it is unclear if the remembrance service will be separate from the funeral. Thousands of well-wishers are expected to gather outside the venue, exceeding its capacity.
Earlier reports suggested that Liam’s funeral would be a private affair, with a source telling Radar Online, “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.”
