A hotel employee in Buenos Aires, accused of supplying drugs to Liam Payne prior to the One Direction star’s tragic fall, has surrendered to authorities. Ezequiel David Pereyra, a 21-year-old hotel worker, had been on the run since the allegations surfaced but is now cooperating with the police. After authorities attempted to arrest him on Friday at his home near Buenos Aires, Pereyra’s lawyer communicated with officials, informing them that he would voluntarily turn himself in. By doing so, Pereyra complied with a court order after missing a deadline to present himself for pre-trial detention.
Pereyra had been employed at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where Payne fell to his death on October 16 after a night of heavy drinking and drug use. Authorities had initially searched for him, but the pressure from the investigation and his lawyer’s intervention led to his decision to surrender. Pereyra, whose role in the events surrounding Payne’s death is under scrutiny, was formally informed of the charges against him and arrested. He now faces legal consequences for allegedly providing the singer with narcotics before his death.
The charges against Pereyra are part of an ongoing investigation into Payne’s death, which has raised serious questions about the events that transpired in the hours leading up to his fall. Prosecutors allege that on October 15 and 16, Pereyra sold cocaine to Payne, who was reportedly struggling with addiction. Surveillance footage and witness testimony have further corroborated these claims. In addition to Pereyra, another man, Braian Nahuel Paiz, has also been implicated in the case and faces similar charges. Both men could face prison sentences if found guilty of drug-related offenses.
While the focus remains on those allegedly involved in supplying drugs to Payne, attention has also turned to the hotel staff and others who were present during the tragic incident. Hotel personnel, including the hotel’s receptionist and security staff, have been charged with manslaughter for failing to ensure Payne’s safety before his fatal fall. Investigators have criticized the decision to move Payne from the hotel lobby to his room when he was visibly intoxicated, calling it a decision that “created a legally unacceptable risk” to his life.
In addition to the hotel workers, Payne’s friend Roger Nores, who was with him in the hours before his death, faces charges of negligent homicide for his role in the incident. Nores, a businessman, has denied the allegations and maintains that he never abandoned Payne, though prosecutors argue that he neglected his duty of care. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to the singer’s untimely demise, which has left fans and loved ones seeking answers.
