Three individuals have been charged in connection with the tragic death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, according to Argentinian authorities. The singer passed away on 16 October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, stirring widespread grief and shock among fans and fellow artists alike.
The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office announced that one person who was with the artist faces charges for abandonment of a person leading to death, as well as for supplying and facilitating drugs. Additionally, a hotel employee and a third individual were also charged for drug-related offenses. The identities of those arrested have not been disclosed.
Payne, 31, known for his iconic role in the 2010s boyband, One Direction, was initially investigated by authorities concerning his final days spent at the CasaSur hotel. Following his untimely death, police discovered various substances in his hotel room, along with extensive damage to furnishings.
Hotel staff reportedly made two urgent calls to emergency services, reporting that a guest had consumed “too many drugs and alcohol” and was “trashing the entire room.” Recent toxicology reports have revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant in Payne’s system at the time of his death. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death resulted from "multiple trauma" and "internal and external hemorrhage" due to the fall.
The prosecutor's office indicated that medical assessments suggested Payne may have been in a state of semi or total unconsciousness at the time of the fall. This conclusion implies he did not understand his actions, ruling out any conscious intent. In the ongoing investigation, authorities have conducted nine raids in Buenos Aires and examined over 800 hours of security footage from the hotel and surrounding areas, alongside testimonies from hotel personnel, acquaintances, and medical professionals.
On Wednesday, Payne's body was released to his family for repatriation to the UK. Following news of his passing, tributes poured in from former partner Cheryl, fellow band members, and music executive Simon Cowell. Payne's bandmates, including Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles expressed their profound sorrow in a joint statement, vowing to cherish the memories made with the late artist. Memorials in tribute to Payne have also taken place across the UK and beyond, as thousands of fans gathered to honor his legacy.
