Liam Payne's dad given 'police escort' after major update over balcony fall

Liam Payne's dad has been given police security as he remains in Argentina after his son's tragic death. The ITV The X Factor star's father has flown to South America, where he is waiting to leave with his son's body following the tragedy.

Payne died in a hotel balcony fall at the Casasur hotel in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, last Wednesday. According to a statement from the prosecutor's office, which was released on the official website of the Attorney General's Office, "the prosecutor decided that Payne Sr. be accompanied by a police escort while he remains in Buenos Aires in" as per the Rights and Guarantees of Victims of Crime law in the country.

The statement also says that the head of the investigation, Andres Madrea, has been keeping Liam's dad up-to-date with the progress in the case and the status of the various ordered tests, including the toxicological analysis performed on samples taken from the singer's body in his autopsy, which performed last Wednesday after his death at the CasaSur hotel.

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It continued: "The representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office informed the father that the toxicological and histopathological studies complementary to the autopsy have not yet been completed, and that their results are necessary to decide on the release of the body. The Prosecutor's Office has already contacted the local British consulate for the 'corresponding legal procedures' regarding repatriation."

Madrera also reported that “numerous witness statements were taken to reconstruct Liam's final hours and the scene of the events, a process that is still ongoing with hotel workers , acquaintances, technical and medical professionals, and other people linked to the victim through their work.”

It comes as Liam's girlfriend Kate shared new photos of the couple who dated for two years, and says they had planned their future and a life together. She also described the One Direction star as someone who brought happiness and positivity to millions.