Body of rising NRL star Liam Hampson released to family

A Spanish court has moved to repatriate rising NRL star Liam Hampson with his family following his death in Barcelona as funeral plans are finalised.

The body of rising rugby league player Liam Hampson will make its sad journey home after Spanish court officials on Monday authorised its release following an autopsy.

It comes as the Redcliffe Dolphins hooker’s family finalised details of a funeral service to be held next week after he fell 10m to his death while inside a Barcelona nightclub late last month.

The 24-year-old had been on a trip of a lifetime with friends – including NRL players – when tragedy struck at the city’s Sala Apolo nightclub.

Sources revealed Hampson had gone in search of a bathroom when he was locked out of the club by an emergency exit door. He is then believed to have accidentally fallen 10m to his death while trying to jump a neighbouring wall.

“The magistrate for the High Court of Catalonia has now authorised the transfer,” High Court spokeswoman Lydia Garrida, said.

“The coroner’s report is ready and the funeral in Australia has been organised,” she confirmed.

Liam Hampson had been enjoying an off-season holiday around Europe when tragedy struck. Picture: Jordan Riki / Instagram

Hampson’s distraught family is now organising the funeral service at his home ground at the Dolphins Stadium (Moreton Daily Stadium) in Redcliffe next Monday and has asked mourners to dress the way he would, in “Sh*t Shirts and Birks” or casual clothes.

An invitation to the funeral service from his father Brett, reads, the service is a“celebration of life.”

“As Liam will have wanted we ask that those attending come dressed in, as Liam would say, “Sh*t Shirts and Birks” or casual comfy clothes,” Mr Hampson said.

“We thank everyone for their support and for those who have reached out as we honour Liam’s memory as a community, as a team and as a family.

“A live stream will be provided for those who are overseas or interstate and unable to attend.”

The night Hampson died, friends lost contact with him about 4.30am, prompting public pleas for help from Gold Coast Titans player AJ Brimson, Queensland rugby player Will Brimson and Brisbane Broncos duo Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars.

The main entry to the Apolo nightclub in Barcelona where Liam Hampson was found.

His body was found some 30 hours after he went missing when a club worker alerted by the sound of his ringing mobile phone found his lifeless body at the bottom of an open air courtyard inside the club.

News Corp understands he became separated from his friends after leaving the nightclub in search of a bathroom and pushed open two emergency exit doors that lead to a cordoned-off terrace of the establishment.

Security cameras captured Hampson returning to the club in the darkness and jumping over a short wall when he unknowingly plunged to his death landing in the courtyard.

Regional Mossos d’Esquadra police officers said the reason it took so long to find his body is because it was located in an excluded area of the club.

“I don’t know how he would have got into that part of the building but he accessed it and from there fell around 10 metres to an interior patio,” a police spokesman told News Corp Australia.

Liam Hampson was found dead after falling from as high as 10m. One of the Apolo nightclub’s internal courtyards. Picture: Martin Seras

“The fact it wasn’t a public area helps to explain why the workers who raised the alarm didn’t do so until Wednesday lunchtime local time.”

Hampson had been enjoying an off-season holiday around Europe taking in the Amalfi Coast, Switzerland, Paris and Germany when tragedy struck.

Managers at the Sala Apolo nightclub said they were “beyond appalled” by his death.

“These are sad and very painful moments, first of all for all the people who are affected by the unforeseeable accident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday 18th October in the outdoor area of Apolo venue,” the club said in a statement.

“It’s been sad as well for those of us who are part of the organisation.

“The management and the entire Apolo team are beyond appalled by what happened and we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Liam Hampson.”

Originally published as Body of rising NRL star Liam Hampson released to family