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The body of rising NRL star Liam Hampson was found in an ‘internal patio’ that had been closed off to the public inside a Spanish nightclub, it’s been revealed.
The popular Redcliffe Dolphins player was last seen by friends at the Sala Apolo music club in Barcelona at 4.30am Tuesday.
He was missing for 30 hours before police confirmed his ‘lifeless body’ had been found inside the same nightclub by staff at midday on Wednesday (Barcelona time) after he had fallen 10 metres.
After failing to offer any detailed explanation of why workers at the popular club took so long to raise the alarm, regional Mossos d’Esquadra police officers elaborated on where the 24-year-old had been located.
‘It was in an internal patio which was not part of the public area of the nightclub,’ the policeman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I don’t know how he would have got into that part of the building but he accessed it and from there fell around 10 metres to an interior patio.
‘The fact it wasn’t a public area helps to explain why the workers who raised the alarm didn’t do so until Wednesday lunchtime local time.’
The body of rising NRL star Liam Hampson was found in an ‘internal patio’ inside a Spanish nightclub that had been closed off to the public
Police said Hampson’s death was being treated as accidental in early stages of the investigation.
The officer couldn’t confirm the circumstances of how Hampson fell, whether it was from a window, corridor or down the stairs, only saying the height was about 10 metres.
Well-placed sources said they expected the post-mortem to take place in the coming hours.
The results of autopsies are not normally made public in Spain and in this instance will be sent directly to the court probing Hampson’s death.
It comes after chilling last photo emerged of Hampson partying with friends inside the packed club just hours before he disappeared.
Broncos star Jordan Riki – who was holidaying with Hampson along with fellow Brisbane player Jesse Arthars and Titans fullback Alexander ‘AJ’ Brimson – can be seen in the foreground wearing a white shirt kissing a woman on the cheek.
To the left of the pair, Liam appears frozen in time, with a broad smile and wearing one of his favourite caps.
Liam Hampson, 24, is pictured (right) during his night out at Spanish nightclub Sala Apolo – just hours before he vanished at 4.30am on Tuesday
The haunting last snap comes as new details have emerged about the frantic 30-hour search to find Hampson as friends and family from Australia and in Spain joined forces to locate the young man.
In the hours after Hampson’s ‘very out of character’ disappearance, his sister Tiarna jumped online to ask people in Barcelona to ‘please look out for Liam’.
She said the alarm was raised when he could not be located after the group left Sala Apolo early on Tuesday morning.
‘He was last seen after leaving a nightclub with friends and then [they] lost each other,’ she wrote.
Friends on the Europe trip also flocked to online to share a missing person post, showing Hampson in his last known outfit – a cap, black shirt and beige shorts.
‘Hasn’t been able to be contacted and no one [has] seen him for 24 hours,’ Riki posted on Instagram.
‘Any info would be greatly appreciated.’
The worrying news quickly made its way back to Australia, with other friends Down Under sharing photos of the footballer and asking for anyone with information on his whereabouts to get in contact.
‘Hey friends, trying to get in contact with our mate Liam Hampson. Currently in Spain,’ Bryce Donovan wrote.
Liam Hampson was found dead on the floor by venue staff at Barcelona nightclub Sala Apolo (pictured). He reportedly fell from a height of 10 metres
The rising NRL star is pictured with his mother Lorna Morton on Mother’s Day this year
Hampson’s sister Tiarna remained hopeful her brother was safe in a post on Facebook on Wednesday
‘If anyone can get in contact or knows any updates, please let me know.’
In the comments, Tiarna thanked Mr Donovan for raising awareness that her brother was missing – but said she believed he was safe and well.
‘Thank you, I’m sure we will find him safe soon!’ she wrote.
Mr Donovan replied: ‘Here to help, I’m sure he will be in touch soon!!’
Hampson is pictured with his sister Tiarna
Many people commented to express that they had shared the post in hope their friends in Barcelona may be able to shed light on his location.
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An Australian woman currently travelling in the city offered to keep a look out while another woman said her friend in Spain would share the post with local hostels.
Others advised friends and family to share the post in local Spanish and traveller Facebook groups.
Another person suggested Hampson may have lost his phone and offered her well wishes to the family that he be found quickly.
‘Barcelona is the pick pocket central, easy to get lost in and everyone speaks Spanish,’ she wrote.
‘My friend lost his phone while clubbing when we were there and I didn’t hear from him for 3 days. Here’s hoping he just had his phone nicked and will find his friends soon.’
But three hours after Mr Donovan’s post, the search came to a tragic end when Hampson’s body was found in the club.
The discovery came just hours after hundreds of revellers packed into the venue on Tuesday night to watch English gothic metal band Paradise Lost.
Tributes have flowed for Hampson as devastated loved ones confirmed the news of his death online.
Liam Hampson (right) in Paris watching Lionel Messi play football
Liam Hampson (right) was travelling across Europe with NRL star AJ Brimson (left) and other mates. Pictured are the pair enjoying the sights of Amsterdam
‘Waking up to the news no one wants to hear, we are devastated to find out that Liam had an accident and sadly has not survived,’ his dad Brett posted on Facebook.
‘We are heartbroken to say the least. Liam had a heart of gold and was a much loved son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend. Words can not express our grief.
‘We can not thank his mates enough for being there with Liam having the time of his life and assisting in the search for our boy. Our thoughts are with them.’
Just hours after issuing a desperate appeal to find him, Tiarna wrote a similar tribute.
‘We are so broken,’ she posted.
‘Liam was the best brother I ever could of asked for and made me a better person. We cannot express our grief.
‘We cannot thank the boys he was travelling with enough for assisting with his search and made sure his last days were the best of his life.
Liam Hampson (far right) with his Aussie mates during the European trip. Police are treating his death as a tragic accident
‘Going to miss you so much, Liam.’
The family has requested privacy as they deal with the heartbreaking loss.
Hampson and his group of mates have posted dozens of photos from their adventure-packed travels in the past month, including snaps from Paris, Ibiza, Amsterdam, Munich and Positano in Italy.
Hampson played hooker for the Redcliffe Dolphins and recently helped steered his side to the Queensland Cup grand final, where they were narrowly beaten 16-10 by the Norths Devils.
The Dolphins will make their NRL debut next season under the helm of coaching legend Wayne Bennett.
Hampson is not among the club’s top tier squad.
