Liam Payne's body 'to be transferred to funeral parlour and embalmed' in 'next 48 hours'

Liam Payne attending the Brit Awards 2019 at the O2 Arena, London (Image: PA)

Liam Payne's body is set to be moved to a funeral parlour and embalmed within the next 48 hours, according to reports from Argentina. The singer's devastated father is reportedly awaiting permission to return home with his son's coffin this weekend.

However, prosecutors have not yet confirmed that the necessary toxicology and tissue tests, which Geoff Payne was informed last week must be completed before repatriation can take place, have been returned.

Local reports suggest that Liam's father is nearing the completion of his efforts to expedite the repatriation process by travelling 7,000 miles after hearing about his son's fatal fall from a third-floor hotel balcony on October 16.

The tragic incident sparked an ongoing investigation, which authorities have linked to a substance-induced "psychotic episode", stating they do not suspect any "third-party" involvement in the 31 year old Brit's death.

Last Thursday, police raided the boutique CasaSur Palermo Hotel where Liam had been staying to inspect computers and documents, believed to be part of a search for his drug dealer amid rumours that someone from his hotel was supplying him with narcotics.

Argentinian news outlet Infobae reported last week that forensic experts had found traces of cocaine in Liam's body, but tests on a drugs seen in leaked photos of his hotel suite following his death have so far been "inconclusive."

Liam Payne arrives at WE Day UK at the SSE Arena in Wembley, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday March 6, 2019. WE Day UK is a local initiative to encourage young people to take part in positive social change. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire (Image: PA)

Geoff arrived in Argentina two days following his son's passing and was seen reading tributes at an impromptu memorial set up by fans outside Liam's hotel.

He also entered the third-floor suite where the ex-One Direction star had been staying, after being granted permission to collect his son's clothes and personal items, which authorities confirmed were no longer required for their investigation.

In a wave of sorrow, thousands of Liam's admirers and supporters have launched a campaign for a memorial to be established in tribute to the artist.

The singer had been in Argentina with his partner Kate Cassidy before she flew back to the US shortly before his untimely death.