Tragic Death of One Direction Star Liam Payne Leads to Charges in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES — Shockwaves rippled through the music world as news broke that five individuals had been charged in connection with the untimely death of One Direction singer Liam Payne in Argentina.
The 31-year-old beloved star tragically passed away on 16 October after a fatal fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.
Hotel manager Gilda Martin, hotel employee Esteban Grassi, and Roger Nores, a reported friend of Payne, have all been charged with manslaughter, according to 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 supplying drugs.
A judge has taken swift action, ordering that two of the accused be remanded in custody, as reported by the Argentinian news website Infobae.
These individuals, whose identities remain undisclosed, have been summoned to appear in court within 24 working hours, Infobae further revealed.
Argentinian authorities have been diligently investigating Payne’s final days at the CasaSur hotel, unraveling a complex web of events leading up to the tragic incident.
In a previous announcement made in November, three individuals were charged in relation to Payne’s death, although their names were not disclosed at the time.
Following Payne’s passing, substances were discovered in his hotel room, along with damaged objects and furniture, shedding light on the night’s events.
Reports indicated that hotel staff had placed two calls to emergency services, describing a guest who had consumed excessive drugs and alcohol, wreaking havoc in the room.
Toxicology tests conducted revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in Payne’s system, as disclosed by the prosecutor’s office.
A post-mortem examination attributed his cause of death to “multiple trauma” and “internal and external haemorrhage” resulting from the balcony fall.
Medical reports suggested that Payne may have fallen while in a state of semi or total unconsciousness, ruling out any conscious or voluntary actions on his part.
Payne, known for his contributions to the iconic boyband One Direction, rose to fame in the 2010s after captivating audiences on The X Factor.
The singer’s funeral, held in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, drew mourners including former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, as well as his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and former partner Cheryl.
As the investigation continues and justice seeks to prevail, the music industry mourns the loss of a talented artist gone too soon. — BBC
