Liam Payne's body will be returned to his family after pending medical tests are completed, source reveals

The remains of British musician Liam Payne, who passed away on Wednesday in Buenos Aires, will remain with the authorities until final clinical examinations are completed, a source informed CNN on Saturday. Officials anticipate this process to conclude next week, though there's a chance findings might emerge as early as this weekend.

Geoff Payne, father to the former One Direction artist, arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday. According to the source, authorities permitted Payne to view his son's remains at the morgue. He also visited the hotel where Liam had been staying. CNN had previously reported that Payne wished to see his son's room, but was denied access due to the ongoing investigation. However, he was shown a similar room on a different floor.

Outside the hotel, he expressed gratitude to fans for their overwhelming support and viewed the memorial covered with photos, letters, candles, and flowers.

Liam Payne succumbed on Wednesday after a fall from his hotel’s third floor. The preliminary autopsy identified "polytrauma" with "internal and external bleeding" as the cause of death, although toxicological results are awaited.

The tragic incident at CasaSur Palermo Hotel remains under scrutiny as authorities delve into the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise. On Thursday, Argentina's public prosecutor's office stated, "all indications suggest the musician was alone at the time of the fall." The office also suspects that Payne, who had been candid about his battles with addiction and mental health, might have been "undergoing an episode due to substance use" at the time.

Payne's sudden death has sent shockwaves through his fanbase and the music world, with tributes pouring in globally. One Direction, the band he was part of since 2010, continues to be one of the most successful boy bands ever.

Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, the remaining members of One Direction, paid homage to their friend and former bandmate with a joint statement and individual tributes on Thursday. "We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing," the band expressed. "The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever."

Zayn Malik announced on Saturday the postponement of his "Stairway To The Sky Tour" in light of Payne’s death. "In light of this week's heartbreaking loss, I’ve decided to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour," Malik shared on X. "Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates. Love you all and thank you for your understanding."

Malik departed from the group in 2015, and a year later, they declared an "indefinite hiatus," after which all five members pursued solo careers, including Payne, who released his latest single, "Teardrops," in March.

CNN’s Michelle Watson and Susannah Cullinane contributed to this report.