Liam Payne's Dad Geoff Pays Tribute to His Son at Hotel Where He Died as Fans Help Him Mourn

Mar. 15, 2025

Geoff Payneis mourningLiam Payneat the hotel where his son spent his final moments before hedied on Oct. 16.

Geoff, 66, arrived at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday, Oct. 18, to recover his son’s belongings and arrange his repatriation to the United Kingdom, per theBBCand Argentine news channelTN.

Geoff Payne on Oct. 18, 2024; Liam Payne in June 2024.AP Photo/Mario De Fina; PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Geoff Payne, Liam Payne

AP Photo/Mario De Fina; PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

As he arrived on Friday morning — less than two days after the formerOne Directionmember was pronounced dead after falling from a hotel balcony — he was met with throngs of fans and the memorial tributes they pieced together outside of the hotel.

Geoff stopped to thank the fans gathered outside, TN reported. He also looked at the shrines erected in his son’s honor, reading some of the messages fans penned to his son and kissing a photo of him.

Geoff Payne in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 18, 2024.Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty

BUEONES AIRES, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 18: Geoff Payne, father of the late British musician Liam Payne, visits the CasaSur Palermo hotel where his son tragically fell from balcony and lost his life in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 18, 2024. The growing memorial included flowers, notes, and memorabilia, reflecting the deep affection fans had for the artist, with Geoff Payne taking time to thank everyone for their touching tributes. He fell from the third floor of a hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to police sources.

Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty

After Geoff entered the hotel, some of Liam’s fans attempted to keep press from following him into the building, and they later raised their hands to shield him from the media while he was inside,TNnoted.

One of the fans who helped form the barrier told the BBC that fans at the hotel wanted to give Geoff “a moment” to express his feelings and to “see how much we love Liam.”

The U.K. outlet also noted that earlier in his visit, the musician’s father also visited a Buenos Aires morgue in order to officially identify his son and make his repatriation arrangements.

Geoff Payne at CasaSur Palermo Hotel on Oct. 18, 2024.AP Photo/Mario De Fina

Geoff Payne, left, the father of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, visits a memorial outside the Casa Sur Hotel where the British pop singer fell to his death from a hotel balcony, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

AP Photo/Mario De Fina

The coroners also confirmed that “no defensive injuries were found,” corroborating local authorities reports that the star allegedlyjumped from the balconyof his hotel room before his death.

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Geoff Payne, the father of the late ex-One Direction singer Liam Payne, center, leaves his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, two days after his son died, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the musician’s sudden death.

Geoff has not spoken publicly about his son’s death, butthe musician’s family did release a statementto several outlets, including theBBC.

“We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” the statement read. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Geoff Payne and Liam Payne in 2020.Liam Payne/Facebook

Liam Payne, Father Geoff Payne

Liam Payne/Facebook

His sister, Ruth Gibbins,also shared a tribute to the late One Direction alum, writing that she would “drive to the end of the universe to bring you back.”

In a heartbreaking tribute shared onInstagram, Gibbins included several sweet moments the brother-sister duo shared throughout the years. She said that the musician “is my best friend, no one could ever make me laugh as much as him, doing his impressions always had me creasing and he loved seeing how much of a laugh he could get.”

source: people.com

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