Five individuals have been charged in relation to the tragic death of renowned singer Liam Payne in Argentina, according to local reports. The 31-year-old star passed away on October 16 after a fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Among those charged are hotel manager Gilda Martin and employee Esteban Grassi, along with Roger Nores, a friend of Payne’s. They face manslaughter charges, as confirmed by Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, Braian Paiz and Ezequiel Pereyra, both reportedly employed at the hotel, are facing charges for drug-related offenses.
A judge has ordered that two of the accused remain in custody while they await court proceedings, which are to occur within the next 24 working hours. Argentinian authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Payne’s final days at the CasaSur hotel.
Initial reports from November stated that three individuals had been charged in connection with his death, although their identities were not disclosed at the time. Roger Nores, who described himself as a close friend of the singer, stated that Payne appeared to be in good spirits shortly before his death.
Following the incident, police discovered various substances in Payne’s hotel room, alongside signs of significant disarray. Emergency services received two calls from hotel staff reporting that a guest was exhibiting erratic behavior due to drug and alcohol consumption.
In November, toxicology results indicated the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in Payne’s system. The post-mortem examination determined that the cause of death was “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage” resulting from the fall. Medical reports hinted that he may have fallen while in a state of semi or total unconsciousness, which negated the likelihood of a deliberate act.
Liam Payne rose to global fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, which gained popularity after appearing on The X Factor in the 2010s. The band entered an indefinite hiatus in January 2016. A funeral for the singer was held last month in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, attended by his former bandmates and family.
