Reason Liam Payne was 'forced' to stay in Argentina before tragic death
Reports suggest Liam Payne encountered several issues
by Jamie Barlow, Daniel Bird · NottinghamshireLiveLiam Payne was "forced" to remain in Argentina due to visa complications before his tragic passing. The former One Direction star was there to support ex-bandmate Niall Horan at a sell-out show, but found his US visa application rejected.
Liam, who died at the age of 31, had ventured to Buenos Aires for his "extraordinary visa" renewal, with plans to travel to Florida with girlfriend Kate Cassidy. However, reports suggest his past struggles with substance abuse led to the visa denial, leaving him stuck in Argentina.
Liam had been open about his battle with addiction and his steps towards recovery, including time in rehab. Despite being sober prior to his death, it's been said that his visa was on the verge of approval just two days before he fell from his hotel's third-floor balcony.
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Friends say he needed to renew his "O-1 non-immigration" visa specifically for Niall's concert, applying through the American embassy in Buenos Aires.
In conversation with MailOnline, an insider said: "One of the questions on the form asks, 'Have you ever abused alcohol or drugs?' Liam's problems with drugs and alcohol are well documented. It is widely known that he had been to rehab in the US, so he had to tick the box, and because of this he had to have medical tests. He had to be checked out by a doctor and a psychiatrist," reports the Mirror.
They continued: "All this took time. So Liam was forced to stay in Buenos Aires longer than he had planned."
Reserved for artists, athletes and those with exceptional talents, the O-1 visa that Liam applied for is granted to individuals recognised nationally or internationally for extraordinary achievements, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Friends have said that Liam passed both medical and psychiatric evaluations and his visa would have received approval.
At the time of his visa complications, Liam was reportedly "100 percent sober" with a scheduled meeting at the Embassy on Thursday to collect his visa. Nevertheless, Liam's acquaintance, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed shock, saying they had "no idea" Liam would "do anything stupid" during their last conversation.
A forensic report confirmed that Liam had sustained 25 injuries due to his devastating fall. The report highlighted that the cranioencephalic injuries were severe enough to cause death, while internal and external haemorrhages in the skull, thorax, abdomen and limbs contributed to the cause of death.
Forensic experts also noted that upon examination of his hands, no defensive wounds were found. They concluded that all injuries on the body were life-threatening, occurred simultaneously, and there was no evidence suggesting the involvement of a third party.