Annie Walton Doyle
Liam Payne’s funeral was held today, but there’s one celebrity who was missing from the invitation list.
Payne, who rose to international fame through The X Factor and as a member of One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, tragically passed away last month at the age of 31.
An initial autopsy has provided some clarity on the circumstances of his death, offering insight as family, friends, and fans struggle to cope with the devastating loss.
One month on, Payne’s funeral is being held, but one major celebrity was not welcome at the celebration of his life.
Following Payne’s death, his family expressed their heartbreak through a statement released by his spokesperson: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul.”
They also requested privacy during this difficult time.
Payne’s former bandmates issued a joint statement, mourning the loss of their ‘brother’ and asking for space to grieve.
According to reports from Buenos Aires, Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony on Wednesday, October 16, at approximately 5:00 PM.
Payne had been in the city to attend a concert by his former bandmate Niall Horan.
Alberto Crescenti, the head of Argentina’s state emergency medical system, confirmed that Payne fell approximately 40 meters into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel, per Todo Noticias.
Emergency services were alerted by hotel staff, one of whom reportedly said: “We need you to send us someone urgently because… well, we don’t know if the guest’s life is at risk… He is in a room that has a balcony.”
Inside the hotel room, investigators found a disheveled scene, including clonazepam, energy supplements, a whiskey bottle, and a lighter. Payne’s phone was discovered in the courtyard where he was found.
The autopsy revealed that Payne suffered multiple traumas and internal bleeding, injuries described as ‘incompatible with life.’
Toxicology results identified traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system.
Medical experts suggested Payne may have been semi- or fully unconscious at the time of the fall.
Argentinian authorities have charged three individuals in connection with Payne’s death.
One of his companions faces charges for ‘abandonment of a person followed by death,’ while a hotel employee and another individual have been charged with providing drugs.
Their identities have not been disclosed.
Investigators have been examining Payne’s final days, noting the substances and damaged items found in his room.
Nine raids have been conducted in Buenos Aires as part of the investigation, and authorities have reviewed over 800 hours of surveillance footage from the hotel and nearby areas.
Testimonies from hotel employees, family, friends, and medical staff have also been gathered.
Payne’s funeral took place today in Wolverhampton, UK, one month after his tragic death at the age of 31.
Payne’s former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan attended the private funeral.
Fans continue to mourn the loss of the singer, who touched millions through his music and personality. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death remain ongoing.
However, one celebrity was not invited.
Payne’s manager, Roger Nores, was reportedly not invited to the private ceremony due to strained relations and his involvement in an ongoing investigation into Payne’s death, per The Sun.
A source close to Payne’s family revealed that they want the service to proceed without any disruptions, saying: “Liam’s family want his funeral to go off without a hitch, and right now opinions are strained when it comes to Nores.”
While Nores claims to have had a close friendship with Payne, others in the singer’s circle were reportedly unaware they had reconnected before Payne’s trip to Argentina.
Nores has denied allegations of abandonment, stating” “I never abandoned Liam… I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened. There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left.”
He also added: “I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend.”
However, emails seen by The Sun suggest that Nores was actively managing Payne’s career until earlier this year. He reportedly resigned after a disagreement over a deal with Los Angeles talent agency CAA.
In the days before Payne’s death, he and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy visited Nores’ home and attended a concert by Payne’s former bandmate, Niall Horan, at the Movistar Arena.
On the day of the tragedy, Nores claims to have left Payne at the hotel surrounded by others, with no indication that something was amiss.
Payne is survived by his seven-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, his parents, and two sisters.
Related Article: One Direction’s Liam Payne Shared Haunting Final Post Just Minutes Before His Death
Related Article: Police Issue Update About Liam Payne’s Death As More Devastating Details Emerge
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