Australian league star Liam Hampson’s family faces agonising wait for toxicology, cause of death

A judge is now involved in the case of Australian league player Liam Hampson’s death as his family has to face a heartbreaking task.

The family of the Australian rugby league player who plunged to his death in Spain have an agonising two-week wait to learn precisely how he died.

Officials at the High Court’s medical legal department have told News Corp they cannot begin toxicology reports until Liam Hampson’s parents view his body.

Dad Brett Hampson, step-mum Jamie Hampson and Liam’s mum Lorna Morton are expected in the Spanish port city of Barcelona this weekend, almost a week after their 24-year-old son “got lost” going through an emergency door at the Sala Apolo nightclub and fell 10 metres to his death.

“What happened to Liam is very sad, at the moment a judge is gathering evidence from people at the scene and we are waiting for his parents to contact us to book an appointment to view his body at the mortuary,” department spokeswoman Lydia Garrida said.

“Once the parents have seen Liam we can begin the laboratory examinations, the results of those tests will take two weeks and will determine what substances may have been consumed and what caused his death.

“The results of the toxicology report are for the family only and will be available in two weeks.”

Liam Hampson (right) was ‘living his best days’ on a trip to Europe with rugby mates, his family has said. Picture: Instagram

Friends of the Redcliffe Dolphins hooker, who were partying with him at the club before his death on Tuesday and had been sharing a dream holiday of Europe, are preparing to travel back to Australia.

Titans’ fullback Alexander ‘AJ’ Brimson and Broncos stars Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars are said to be shattered.

“The guys are just in their 20s and are stunned and devastated by what’s happened,” Mr Brimson’s agent Jim Banaghan said.

“They are preparing to travel back to Australia and I know that Alexander does not want to leave this friend behind. They all came together and never thought they’d be leaving one behind.”

Meanwhile, security cameras from the Sala Apolo club have been handed to police, showing the moments leading up to Hampson’s death.

Titans’ fullback Alexander ‘AJ’ Brimson and Broncos stars Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars are shattered over the death of their mate Liam (far right). Picture: Instagram

The videos are understood to show him leaving the club through an emergency door, as one of his footballer friends begs him not to leave.

He then finds a second emergency door to an interior terrace where he urinates in a corner.

He is then seen jumping over a one metre wall but in the darkness he could not have known of the hefty drop on the other side into an inner courtyard.

His sister Tiarna Hampson reinforced, in a second public statement, how the family had been navigating their grief with the comfort of knowing Hampson had been living “the best days of his life.”

“We would like to say we have been so comforted by knowing how loved Liam was

and the amount of lives he impacted,” she said in the family statement.

“We want to thank not only his friends, but the strangers who have reached out to us.

“We are overwhelmed with the love and support we have received and want to thank everyone who donated to the fund or sent flowers, and for every single message.

“We are so happy Liam’s last days were the best days of his life and we thank his close group of mates that were with him in those times.”

Liam pictured with his mother Lorna Morton. Picture: Instagram

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Saturday issued a statement of condolence.

A spokesman said the department was providing consular assistance to Liam Hampson’s family but could not comment further.

“We extend our condolences to his friends and family,” the spokesman said.

“Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment.”

In cases of death overseas, consular assistance may include support and guidance to families and liaison with local and Australian authorities to assist with funeral arrangements or repatriation of remains.

Australian Embassies have no authority to intervene in local judicial matters, conduct local investigations, pay for funeral or repatriation costs. Smartraveller provides information on what happens when an Australian dies overseas.

Originally published as Australian league star Liam Hampson’s family faces agonising wait for toxicology, cause of death