Three individuals are currently facing preliminary charges in connection with the tragic death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, according to Argentine authorities. The charges, which are part of an ongoing investigation, involve suspicions of drug-related activities and the abandonment of Payne in the moments before his death. Among those being investigated is a hotel employee and a suspected drug dealer, the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina has revealed.
Liam Payne, 31, passed away on October 16 after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. Toxicology reports found traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system. Investigators believe Payne may have been unconscious or semi-conscious at the time of the fall, as his injuries were consistent with a fall from a significant height. Medical examinations ruled out the possibility of self-harm or foul play by others. Following his death, Payne’s body was returned to his father, Geoff Payne.
The investigation into Payne’s death is still in its early stages, with the preliminary charges forming part of Argentina’s two-phase legal process. In this phase, authorities gather evidence and review findings before determining whether to formally charge any of the suspects. The three individuals under investigation include a person who had frequent contact with Payne during his stay in Buenos Aires, a hotel worker suspected of providing cocaine to the singer, and a narcotics supplier thought to have provided drugs just days before Payne’s death.
Evidence gathered by authorities includes over 800 hours of video footage and a forensic examination of Payne’s cell phone. Investigators discovered that Payne had reportedly obtained drugs on at least four different occasions during his stay. Two women, who were with Payne before his death, were interviewed by authorities. They claimed not to have seen him use drugs in their presence but acknowledged that Payne had consumed alcohol. Despite his past struggles with addiction, Payne had been open about his journey to sobriety and had celebrated six months of recovery in 2023.
Liam Payne’s death has shocked fans around the world, especially his followers from his time with One Direction, the globally famous boy band that formed on The X Factor in 2010. Payne, along with bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, helped shape the boy band era. Although the group announced a hiatus in 2016, Payne remained a prominent figure in music, and his untimely passing has left many mourning the loss of a beloved artist.
