Three individuals have been charged by Argentinian authorities in connection with the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who tragically fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16. Payne, 31, rose to international fame in the 2010s as a member of One Direction and is remembered as a prominent pop figure and father-of-one.
According to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, one individual, who had been accompanying Payne, faces charges of abandonment leading to death as well as drug-related charges for supplying and facilitating drugs. A hotel staff member and another individual have also been charged with supplying drugs. None of the accused have been publicly named.
Following Payne’s death, authorities found drug substances and damaged furniture in his hotel room. Hotel staff made two emergency calls prior to the incident, reporting that Payne had taken “too many drugs and alcohol” and was “trashing the entire room.” Toxicology reports later confirmed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and an antidepressant in Payne’s system at the time of his death.
A post-mortem examination determined that Payne died from “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage” caused by the fall. Medical findings suggest that he may have fallen in a state of partial or complete unconsciousness, ruling out the possibility of a voluntary act.
In an ongoing investigation, authorities have conducted extensive searches across Buenos Aires, seizing items such as Payne’s broken laptop and other electronic devices. Over 800 hours of surveillance footage and dozens of testimonies from hotel staff, friends, family, and medical professionals have been gathered to clarify the circumstances of Payne’s death.
Payne’s body was released to his family on Wednesday and is being returned to the UK. His former bandmates, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles, expressed their deep sorrow in a joint statement, recalling the “treasured memories” they shared with him. Thousands of fans worldwide have also paid tribute to Payne, attending memorial events to honor the late singer’s life and legacy.
