Liam Payne of One Direction fame is being laid to rest today in the Home Counties, with his fellow band members set to join the mourners. The tragic loss occurred when Liam fatally fell from his hotel's third-floor balcony in Argentina on October 16, at just 31 years of age.
Recently, Argentinian prosecutors confirmed that three individuals are being prosecuted in relation to the death, facing charges of "abandonment of a person followed by death" and narcotics offences.
Among those expected to honour Liam's memory are his former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, as well as music mogul Simon Cowell.
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Last month One Direction collectively expressed their heartache, saying: "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. 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," reports the Mirror.
Liam's father had taken a flight to the South American nation and visited the hotel where tragedy struck, paying respects to the sea of tributes placed by grieving supporters following Liam's untimely passing on October 16.
Before this sorrowful event, reports suggest that the dad to Bear, Liam's son shared with Cheryl Tweedy, was in Buenos Aires to update his US visa and to see his friend Niall Horan perform live at the Movistar Arena.
Previously, his family has expressed their despair with heart-wrenching words: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."
Three people have since been charged in connection with Liam's death. According to a translation of the statement issued by the public prosecutor's office in Argentina, prosecutors said "exhaustive and meticulous measures were taken to clarify the circumstances" around the 31-year-old dad-of-one's death.
The statement said: "Based on the evidence gathered and after analysing the various bodies of proceedings and numerous documentary annexes and the background of the case, prosecutor Andres Esteban Madrea formally charged three people, requesting their questioning and arrest in a 180-page ruling presented last Friday to Judge Bruniard."
Prosecutors said one of the individuals was accompanying the singer on a daily basis in Argentina and stands accused of abandonment of a person followed by death, which could carry a sentence of up to 15 years.
Another was an employee at the hotel where Payne was staying. The third person allegedly supplied drugs.
An autopsy established that Liam suffered "multiple traumas" and "internal and external haemorrhaging", with 25 injuries that were "consistent with a fall from a great height". On 7 November, the prosecutor's office said toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his body. They also ruled out self-harm or physical intervention by a third party.
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