Liam Payne’s Dad Breaks Silence: Spotted in Argentina After Heartbreaking Loss
Geoff Payne was spotted in Argentina for the first time since his son’s tragic death on Wednesday.
In a touching moment, Liam Payne’s father arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday, October 18, 2024, after his son’s sudden passing from a fall off a hotel balcony. This marks the first time he has been seen in public since the heartbreaking event, which has shocked fans and the music community.
Geoff landed in Buenos Aires at 6:00 a.m. local time, according to police sources. However, there was no information about whether he would visit the morgue where his son’s body is waiting for toxicology tests. Instead, he was seen outside his hotel, looking very serious, as he headed to the Buenos Aires Judicial Office.
Fans have reacted to the photo, as they have seen some of Liam’s family over the years, like in One Direction’s music video for “Story of My Life.”
One user commented, “Parents’ worst nightmare 💔.” Another added, “🙏🏻 for the Dad and family grieving. So sad 😞.” Another heartfelt message read, “No parent is supposed to bury their child. 😢”
Liam’s family released a heartfelt statement after his unexpected death at 31. They expressed their deep sadness and honored the kind, funny, and brave man he was.
“We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts,” the family shared.
They also asked for privacy during this difficult time, stating, “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Liam was raised in Wolverhampton by his mother, Karen, who is a nurse, and his father, Geoff, who is a fitter. He had a close bond with his dad and honored him in a heartfelt Father’s Day tribute in 2020.
“Happy Father’s Day Dad! And to all the dads out there and those who are no longer here. This day means even more to me now than ever. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me; thank you for raising me right. x,” Liam wrote.
Liam was the youngest of three siblings, with two older sisters, Nicola Payne and Ruth Gibbins. He had a son, Bear, with his former partner, Cheryl Tweedy. Their son was born in 2017 after their high-profile relationship from 2016 to 2018.
In the wake of his death, close friend Jodie Richards reflected on Liam’s strong support system. She mentioned that he had very supportive parents, two sisters, and spoke highly of Cheryl. Jodie also noted that he had a girlfriend and a network of friends he could reach out to when needed.
Jodie, who taught Liam at her performing arts company, shared heartbreaking details of their final interactions just hours before his tragic death. She initially thought the news of his passing was “fake.” In disbelief, she tried to reach him on Wednesday night.
On Monday, Liam had texted Jodie to check in. She replied that she was at the gym with her son, Jackson, and Liam responded, “Nice.” He later sent her a photo of himself sitting on his hotel bed in Argentina.
Jodie explained that they had a close friendship, noting that they had been friends for years. She believed Liam wanted to check on her and see how everyone was doing back home.
“He seemed fine; he looked happy and healthy—no reason for any kind of concern,” the 41-year-old recalled.
When she heard the news, she thought it was fake and tried to call Liam, but he didn’t answer. When she sent him a text, it didn’t show as read, which was unusual for him. As she turned on the TV, it became clear that the news was true.
Liam Payne died after falling from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024. Medical professionals revealed the cause of his death after responding to the scene.
Liam died instantly due to multiple injuries, including a fractured skull. Alberto Crescenti shared that his team arrived quickly but could not save him because of the severity of his injuries.
“Based on what the team saw, there was a cranial fracture and serious injuries that led to his immediate death,” he explained.
Crescenti confirmed that Liam had fallen into the hotel’s internal patio but did not address claims regarding possible intoxication or drug use. He mentioned that authorities were still waiting for autopsy results and advised against making premature conclusions.
Just minutes before his death, Payne posted a Snapchat photo of himself and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, as they looked into a mirror.
After his death, his body remained at the hotel for over three hours before being taken away at 8:38 p.m. local time. He was transported to a city morgue about a 15-minute drive from the hotel.
Pathologists in Buenos Aires were scheduled to perform a post-mortem on October 17, 2024, to address questions about his death. They would also test for signs of alcohol or drug use before the incident at the CasaSur Palermo hotel.
While officials have not provided a timeline for the test results, local reports suggest it could take between 10 to 15 days. The prosecutor leading the investigation has been identified as Andrés Esteban Madrea.
If drugs are found in Liam’s hotel room and linked to his death, authorities may investigate who provided them, which could lead to prosecutions.
