At the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Geoff Payne is coping with the loss of his son, Liam Payne, who tragically passed away on October 16. On October 18, the 66-year-old arrived at the hotel to retrieve Liam’s belongings and to facilitate his repatriation to the United Kingdom, according to reports from the BBC and Argentine news channel TN.
Upon his arrival on Friday morning—just under two days after Liam’s untimely death from a fall from the hotel balcony—Geoff was greeted by a crowd of fans who had created memorial tributes outside the hotel.
Geoff expressed gratitude to the fans who created tributes, pausing to read their messages and kiss a photo of his late son
He took a moment to express his gratitude to the fans gathered, as reported by TN. While there, he viewed the makeshift shrines dedicated to his son, reading heartfelt messages and kissing a photograph of Liam.
As Geoff entered the hotel, some of Liam’s admirers formed a barrier to protect him from the press, raising their hands to shield him while he was inside, according to TN. One fan explained to the BBC that they wanted to provide Geoff with a moment of privacy to grieve and to show their love for Liam.
Earlier in his visit, Geoff also went to a morgue in Buenos Aires to formally identify his son and finalize the repatriation details. Liam’s death on October 16 at the age of 31 was attributed to a fall from several stories up. A preliminary autopsy indicated that he suffered multiple injuries, including “internal and external” hemorrhages.
Coroners confirmed that no defensive wounds were found, supporting local authorities’ claims that Liam likely jumped from the hotel balcony prior to his death. An investigation is currently underway to clarify the circumstances surrounding his sudden passing.
While Geoff has not publicly commented on his son’s death, the family released a statement to multiple outlets, including the BBC. The statement expressed their heartbreak, stating, “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.”
Liam’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, also shared a touching tribute, expressing her desire to “drive to the end of the universe to bring you back.” In her emotional Instagram post, she reflected on the joyful moments they shared, highlighting that her brother was her best friend who brought her endless laughter.
Ruth concluded her heartfelt message by vowing to care for Liam’s 7-year-old son, Bear. She assured him, “He will always know how incredible his Dad is and how much you idolize him. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. Love you; oh how my heart misses you.”
