Liam Payne’s body will be released to his father, Geoff Payne, while funeral arrangements are underway in his home country of England. The news comes as Argentine authorities reportedly carried out a new round of raids in connection with their investigation into the death.
Multiple media outlets reported that Liam’s body was being prepared for transfer to the United Kingdom, indicating that the necessary toxicology and laboratory reports have been completed in connection with his death. Investigators believe the former One Direction singer was under the influence of drugs before falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel on October 16.
According to prosecutors, Geoff arrived in Buenos Aires shortly after his son’s death and offered to assist investigators. He is in the country waiting for the release of Liam’s body. Sources told ABC News that prosecutors had allowed the release of Liam’s body to Geoff. The Daily Mail reports that a memorial service will take place in Britain after the singer’s repatriation.
As for the status of the investigation into the death, TMZ claims that police have raided the homes of two employees of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where Liam was staying when he died. Authorities also reportedly raided the home of a local acquaintance of Liam’s after reviewing text messages between the two. Investigators are trying to determine how the singer obtained drugs before his death. Police raided the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in October and reportedly obtained electronic evidence.
ABC News reports that investigators are investigating a hotel employee after CCTV footage allegedly showed multiple exchanges between that person and a drug dealer before Liam’s death. The singer was reportedly seen on video footage twice sleeping in the hotel lobby with a bottle of whiskey in his hand. Liam had been open about his struggles with alcohol addiction, saying in 2023 that he had been sober for six months. ABC’s police sources claim investigators do not believe the singer’s hotel trap was intentional.
Initial toxicology results showed Liam had “multiple substances” in his system, including traces of “pink cocaine” – a cocktail of various recreational drugs that can include MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine and caffeine in varying amounts, according to National Capital Poison Center. According to ABC News, cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack were also found in his system. A full autopsy report has yet to be released.
