Three weeks after the tragedy that claimed the life of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, the late singer's body is finally heading home.
Authorities in Buenos Aires approved the repatriation of the body back to the UK earlier this week, said a source with knowledge of proceedings.
Payne's body left the British Cemetery in Chacarita, Buenos Aires, where it was embalmed, at around 6am this morning, en route to an airport, another source confirmed to the Times.
A flight carrying the singer's remains left Buenos Aires for London at 1.58pm local time (1658 GMT), a police source told the AFP news agency.
A video circulating on social media showed Payne's father at Ezeiza International Airport, minutes before boarding.
Liam Payne's father, Geoff Payne, who has been in Buenos Aires since October 16, on Tuesday visited the hotel where his late son died for a second time.
The mourning father took a few moments to again look over the makeshift shrine to his late son outside the Hotel CasaSur.
He crossed paths with a few fans, who embraced him after a few words.
According to reports, the father also visited the British Cemetery to see his son's body one more time.
Payne, who found fame with global chart-toppers One Direction, tragically died at the Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room.
Prosecutors believe that the singer was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time and may have plunged from the balcony in a state of “semi or total unconsciousness.”
Preliminary results of expert tests determined the presence of cocaine in his body, multiple outlets reported.
His death at age 31 prompted a global outpouring of grief and condolences from family, former bandmates, fans and others.
It also prompted a debate about whether the music industry has a duty of care for the mental health of stars who find fame at a young age.
Payne had spoken publicly about struggles with substance abuse and coping with fame from an early age.
Hotel staff had called emergency services twice to report a guest "overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol" who was "destroying" a hotel room.
One of the highest-grossing live acts in the world, One Direction went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.
Payne went on to enjoy a degree of solo success but his career had languished recently.
A large celebration of Payne's life will take place in his hometown in the coming days, with family and friends set to attend.
“Arrangements are in place for [the arrival] now and once his body is back in Britain the next step will be to announce the funeral plan.” a close friend of the former One Direction star told the MailOnline website earlier this week
– TIMES/PERFIL
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