Three individuals have been charged in Argentina in connection with the tragic death of Liam Payne, former One Direction singer, who died after a fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on 16 October 2024. Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office revealed the charges on Thursday, stating that the individuals engaged in “illicit conduct” involving narcotics and neglectful behaviour that contributed to Payne’s death.
Investigation Details and Arrests
The Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that an extensive investigation, including a review of over 800 hours of security footage, led to the identification of the three suspects. The charges include “abandonment of a person followed by death” and “supply and facilitation of narcotics.”
According to the statement, one of the defendants had been in close contact with Payne daily throughout his stay at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel and is now charged with abandonment. The second defendant, a hotel employee, is accused of supplying Payne with cocaine on two occasions. The third suspect, identified as a narcotics supplier, allegedly provided drugs to Payne twice on 14 October.
Cause of Death and Toxicology Findings
Toxicology results indicated that Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system. Authorities noted that he was in a state of “semi or total unconsciousness” at the time of the fall and have ruled out both “self-harm of any kind” and any third-party force being involved in the incident. Payne’s cause of death was determined to be “multiple trauma” and “internal and external haemorrhage” due to his fall from the third-story balcony.
Context and Further Actions
These developments bring new insights into the events leading to Payne’s death, raising questions about the availability of support systems for individuals in distress. The UK Foreign Office is in touch with Argentine authorities regarding the case, though no further information has been provided.
