The body of former One Direction singer Liam Payne has been repatriated to the UK, weeks following his tragic death.
The 31-year-old star suffered a fatal accident last month after falling from the third storey of a Buenos Aires hostel whilst on holiday in Argentina and attending an ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s gig with girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
His father Geoff Payne travelled to Argentina enduring weeks of agonising wait to retrieve his son’s remains.
The prolonged process concluded when local officials completed additional toxicology and lab examinations this week, as public prosecutor Andrés Madrea confirmed.
Liam, whose untimely death on October 16 spurred waves of tributes from devastated loved ones, admirers, and fellow stars, was flown back by his dad yesterday, arriving at London Heathrow at 7:49 AM this morning. In an emotional collective vigil, fans closely monitored the flight’s progress, rendering it the most tracked plane worldwide.
Respected Argentinian newspaper La Nacion detailed that Liam’s dad Geoff, having met with prosecutor chief Andres Madrea, was assured he could accompany his son’s body back to British soil for next week’s funeral arrangements. According to the paper: “All the documents are ready for the former One Direction singer to return to his homeland so a funeral can take place there next week.
“When Geoff Payne reached Argentina on October 18 he was told the repatriation process could take between four and five days, but because of the circumstances surrounding his son’s death things took longer than expected.”
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Buenos Aires continues to probe into the tragic demise of the singer. Fans have already started paying their respects at St. Peter’s Collegiate Church in central Wolverhampton, leaving flowers and heartfelt handwritten messages by the Lady Wulfrun statue.
Information regarding Liam’s funeral is yet to be disclosed, however, it is speculated to occur in his hometown of Wolverhampton, reports the Mirror.
An insider revealed to MailOnline: “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.”
Following the release of funeral details, fans across social media platforms are urging others to respect the family’s privacy and refrain from attending.
The funeral of Liam is reportedly set to be a private affair, allowing his loved ones the necessary time to grieve the loss of the star. It’s understood that his send-off will include a “series of song tributes”, reflecting his passion for music.
His family are said to be keen on incorporating a unique musical aspect into the service. A source told Radar Online that there will be “a series of song tributes from some very big acts” at the farewell ceremony.
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