Liam Payne's funeral to take place next month after delays over autopsy

By Carly Duffy, Showbiz Editor

Liam Payne’s family pay tribute after his death

The funeral of Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, is set to be held next month following an update on the late singer's autopsy results.

The 31 year old tragically lost his life after a fall from the balcony of his third-floor room at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last Wednesday. His bereaved father Geoff has flown to the South American nation to formally identify his son's body and organise its return to the UK.

New details have surfaced indicating that Liam's body may remain in Argentina for 10 to 15 days pending the outcome of toxicological tests. Once the investigation concludes, his remains will be released to his family for repatriation to England, as per sources close to the situation.

This timeline suggests that the funeral could potentially occur early next month after his body is brought back to British soil. The Argentinian newspaper Clarin reported these developments, citing sources from the British Embassy who stated: "We are supporting Liam Payne's family and are in contact with local authorities."

Liam Payne's funeral could be delayed (Image: WireImage)

These updates follow the initial findings from an autopsy conducted by the Forensic Medical Corps at the Judicial Morgue on Viamonte Street, which indicated that Liam succumbed to "multiple traumas" leading to "internal and external bleeding" caused by the fall. The report also mentioned ongoing toxicological and anatomical-pathological examinations of his blood and urine to check for any drug presence, reports the Mirror.

The musician's medical records might be subpoenaed to examine his history with mental health issues, amid an ongoing investigation by Prosecutor No. 16, Andres Madrea, with Deputy Secretary Maria Florencia Lavaggi collecting testimonies.

The complete autopsy results are expected to be disclosed at a later date.

Liam's dad is currently in Argentina after the death of his son (Image: Getty)

Liam's dad, after arriving in Argentina, paid a heartfelt tribute to his late son at the hotel where the tragedy occurred, appreciating the fans' tributes and expressing gratitude for their support. The family of Liam released a moving statement, saying: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

The members of One Direction issued a joint statement this Thursday evening. Signed by "Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry" Liam's former bandmates expressed their profound sorrow: "We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly."

They continued: "The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam."