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Liam Payne’s father given gut-wrenching news on when he can receive son’s body

Liam Payne’s father Geoff has been given more difficult news, as it was revealed the former One Direction singer filmed a show for Netflix months before he fell to his death.

Liam Payne Tributes: UK Musicians React to Singer’s Death

Liam Payne’s father has been told it could be 10 days before he is able to take his son back home, as it was revealed the former One Direction singer filmed a new show for Netflix just months before his death.

The former One Direction singer died aged 31, when he fell from the third floor of the luxury Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday last week.

Geoff Payne last night met with Andrés Esteban Madrea, the prosecutor who is leading the investigation into the former One Direction singer’s death, and was given the difficult news as they await the results of toxicology and other tests.

Geoff Payne, father of Liam Payne, acknowledges the fans outside Casa Sur Hotel. Picture: Getty Images
Geoff Payne, father of Liam Payne, acknowledges the fans outside Casa Sur Hotel. Picture: Getty Images
Mr Payne looks at tribute to his son, Liam Payne. Picture: Getty Images
Mr Payne looks at tribute to his son, Liam Payne. Picture: Getty Images

“Geoff has been told it might take 10 days for the tests to be completed and for him to take Liam home,” an unidentified family friend said, according to the Daily Mail.

“He is finding the whole situation really tough. Geoff totally heartbroken at losing his son.

“But he has vowed to do right by Liam and will not go home without him.

“It is the uncertainty of not knowing when this ordeal will be over is what he is finding very difficult to deal with.

“The Argentine officials say they expect the results to take 10 days, but it might be a lot less time than that.”

In a statement Argentina’s Ministry of Justice said: “The head of the National Prosecutor’s Office in Criminal and Correctional Matters No. 14, Andrés Esteban Madrea, met yesterday with Geoff Payne, the father of British musician Liam James Payne, who was found dead last Wednesday in a hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, to inform him in person about the progress of the investigation.

Liam Payne and dad Geoff Payne. Picture: Liam Payne/Facebook
Liam Payne and dad Geoff Payne. Picture: Liam Payne/Facebook

“The representative of the Public Prosecutor’s Office informed the father that toxicological and histopathological studies complementary to the autopsy have not yet been completed, and their results are necessary to decide on the release of the body.”

The statement added as part of the inquiry, examinations are being conducted on cell phones, computers, photographs, and security camera videos, which require a longer analysis time.

It continues: “Additionally, numerous witness statements have been taken to reconstruct the victim’s last hours and the scene of the events, a process that is still ongoing involving hotel staff, acquaintances, technical and medical professionals, and others connected to the victim through his work.”

Mr Madrea also offered Mr Payne police protection due to the media attention surrounding his son’s death.

PAYNE FILMED NETFLIX SHOW

It comes amid the revelation that Payne filmed a new talent show for Netflix months before his untimely death.

The singer served as a judge and mentor on Building the Band together with Pussycat Dolls alum Nicole Scherzinger and Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland.

AJ McLean from Backstreet Boys was the host.

However Payne’s death has placed the future of the show up in the air.

The talent series was given the go-ahead by Netflix in May and produced by the UK’s Remarkable Entertainment, with filming completed at the UK’s Aviva Studios in August, according to Deadline.

Building the Band was described by Netflix’s Tudum as “an unscripted series in which the next great pop group is created sight unseen.”

The series saw 50 singers attempt to form their own band without ever seeing each other.

The singers “had to connect via musical compatibility and chemistry before finally meeting”, Deadline reports.

“Building the Band is a brave and bold undertaking for all involved as we hand over power to the singers themselves to form their own band based on chemistry first,” executive producer Cat Lawson said in a statement to Netflix’s Tudum.

He continued: “With looks out of the equation, can they create a deeper connection with their bandmates? With limited bands, there are difficult decisions and heart-stopping moments along the way, but ultimately the outcome is truly amazing, with bands forming who in my opinion are worthy of the very biggest stage!”

According to Deadline, a source revealed that audience members sang “Happy Birthday” to Payne, who turned 31 the day before the final live show.

‘PINK COCAINE’: AUTOPSY REPORT REVEALS DRUGS IN PAYNE’S SYSTEM

Liam Payne had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he plunged to his death from a hotel balcony, including a dangerous new party drug called “pink cocaine”.

A toxicology report completed as part of the autopsy revealed traces of pink cocaine – a combination of methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA – in his system, as well as

cocaine and benzodiazepine, as local authorities continue their search for his drug dealer.

Police also found an improvised aluminium pipe used to smoke crack cocaine in his suite.

The English pop star died instantly, according to the post mortem, suffering multiple injuries as he fell almost 14m from the balcony onto the concrete footpath below.

Singer Liam Payne had multiple drugs in his system when he died. Picture: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Singer Liam Payne had multiple drugs in his system when he died. Picture: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Singer Justin Bieber paid tribute to Payne, reposting a fan-made video to his Instagram Stories and inserting a broken heart emoji.

The fan-made video showed a memorial for Payne covered in flowers and cards. “Just remember: you are allowed to grieve as a fan,” A voiceover for the clip said. “You are allowed to love someone you’ve never met. You are allowed to admire someone for their art. You are allowed, to cry, to break, to feel like a part of you is gone.”

Earlier, the star’s sister, Nicola Payne, revealed the cruel way she heard the news – finding out about her younger sibling’s death via a news alert sent to her phone.

Fans mourn his passing outside the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Picture: Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty Images
Fans mourn his passing outside the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Picture: Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty Images

“I have spent days hoping that it was a mistake and somebody has got it wrong. You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy,” she wrote in a heart-wrenching message shared on Instagram.

“You led your life with a motto of why bother doing something unless you are brilliant at it, and Liam you were certainly brilliant at everything you did!! Unfortunately this cruel world is always to quick to judge someone from a few 5 second clips, they even think it entitles them to be able to speak like they know you … We knew you and we loved you.”

She finished by saying, “I hope you have finally found peace up there”.

Payne (second from left) with former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson in New York City in 2016. Picture: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Payne (second from left) with former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson in New York City in 2016. Picture: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell – the music mogul who plucked Payne and his One Direction band members from obscurity – has made his first public appearance since the tragedy.

The former X Factor judge also posted a tribute to the talented singer on social media.

“Liam I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you,” he wrote.

A grieving Simon Cowell, who managed the band, didn’t participate in Britain’s Got Talent auditions on the weekend. Picture: Cameron Smith/Getty Images
A grieving Simon Cowell, who managed the band, didn’t participate in Britain’s Got Talent auditions on the weekend. Picture: Cameron Smith/Getty Images

Cowell wrote that Payne came to see him last year, just to reminisce about the good times they had together, and commented on how proud he was to be a father.

“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have … And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”

Originally published as Liam Payne’s father given gut-wrenching news on when he can receive son’s body

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Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/world/pink-cocaine-in-liam-paynes-toxicology-report-following-argentina-hotel-death/news-story/996a7a2cecf0edf010f98d91cc751c24