Liam Payne’s family and friends said goodbye to the One Direction star on Wednesday. The funeral took place at a centuries-old church in the English countryside, northwest of London.
Payne died on October 16 at age 31 after falling from a balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The singer’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, arrived with Damian Hurley. Payne’s ex Cheryl, who shares a 7-year-old son Bear Grey with the late singer, also attended.
Payne’s former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan came to pay their respects. The group rose to fame after forming on The X Factor in 2010.
Simon Cowell, who helped launch One Direction’s career, attended with his fiancée Lauren Silverman. Talk show host James Corden was also there to support the family.
An investigation by Argentine authorities on November 7 found traces of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in Payne’s system. The prosecutor’s office ruled out self-harm or physical intervention by others. Reports indicate Payne’s hotel room was in disarray, with a 911 call mentioning he was “trashing the room” shortly before the fall.
Payne’s father Geoff traveled to Argentina in late October to assist authorities with the investigation. A posthumous single titled “Do No Wrong” was canceled out of respect for Payne’s family. The song’s producer Sam Pounds had intended for proceeds to go to a charity of the family’s choosing.
Payne had recently filmed as a guest judge for an upcoming Netflix show called “Building the Band.” The status of that project remains unclear following his untimely death.
