Five individuals have recently been charged in connection with the death of singer Liam Payne in Argentina, as reported by local media. The 31-year-old artist passed away after a fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires on 16 October. The charges stem from an investigation led by Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office, which has identified hotel manager Gilda Martin, hotel employee Esteban Grassi, and Roger Nores, who was reportedly a friend of the singer, as facing manslaughter charges.
Additionally, Braian Paiz and Ezequiel Pereyra, both allegedly employed at the hotel, have been charged with drug-related offenses. Following these developments, a judge has ordered two of the accused to be held in custody, as indicated by Argentine news outlet Infobae. Those individuals have been summoned for a court appearance within 24 working hours.
The inquiry into Payne's final moments at the CasaSur hotel has been ongoing. Previously, authorities disclosed in November that charges were being pursued against three people in relation to his death, though their names were unspecified at that time. Roger Nores spoke with US celebrity news outlet TMZ, describing Payne as "playful and happy" just an hour before the fall.
Investigations also revealed that substances were discovered in Payne's hotel room, alongside reports of damaged furniture and calls from hotel staff to emergency services. Staff had reported concerns about an intoxicated guest causing disturbances in the room, which raised alarms about his wellbeing.
Toxicology results showed that Payne's body contained traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant. A post-mortem examination indicated that his cause of death was linked to "multiple trauma" sustained in the fall, revealing he was likely unconscious at the time of the incident.
The findings led the prosecutor's office to conclude that Payne was not aware of his actions, dismissing the possibility of intentional harm. Payne had gained fame through his role on The X Factor and as a member of One Direction before the group took an indefinite hiatus in January 2016. His funeral took place in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, where family, former bandmates, and friends gathered to honor his memory.
