Liam Payne, a former member of the famous boy band One Direction, tragically passed away at the age of 31. His sudden death has left fans around the world in shock and sadness. Authorities in Argentina have charged five people in connection with the incident, including a waiter who was recently arrested.
The heartbreaking event occurred on October 16, 2024, at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires. Reports state that Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room, leading to his untimely death. Investigators are now working to uncover the full details of what happened that night.
Among the five people charged is 24-year-old Braian Paiz, who worked as a waiter. He was arrested on January 3, 2025, at his home in Ingeniero Budge, Argentina. Authorities have accused him of supplying drugs to Payne on two separate occasions.
If found guilty, Paiz could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Another hotel employee, 21-year-old Ezequiel Pereyra, has also been charged with supplying drugs. However, reports suggest that police have not been able to locate Pereyra at this time.
In a recent television interview, Paiz admitted that he had used drugs, including cocaine, with Payne. However, he strongly denied providing the singer with any drugs or accepting money for them.
Paiz’s lawyer, Fernando Madeo Facente, has stated that his client is not a flight risk and has cooperated fully with the investigation. Facente argued that there is no need to hold Paiz in custody while the case is ongoing.
In addition to Paiz and Pereyra, three other individuals have been charged in connection with Payne’s death.
Rogelio Nores, an Argentinian businessman, is one of them. Nores has denied any involvement, claiming he left the hotel about 40 minutes before Payne’s fall. He is facing manslaughter charges along with the hotel’s chief receptionist, Esteban Grassi, and manager, Gilda Martin.
Court documents suggest that Grassi and Martin may have failed to act responsibly to protect Payne when he was in a vulnerable state. Both have been banned from leaving Argentina while the investigation continues.
According to reports from the judge and public prosecutor, Payne had been asking for drugs and alcohol during his stay at the hotel. Witnesses described him as being in a highly intoxicated state in the hours leading up to his death.
Court papers revealed that Payne was in the hotel lobby shortly before the incident, struggling to stand due to consuming various substances.
The documents suggest that Martin, the hotel manager, may have acted negligently. Instead of ensuring Payne’s safety, she reportedly allowed him to be taken to his room despite his condition. The balcony in the room posed a clear danger, which should have been addressed.
Grassi, the chief receptionist, is accused of instructing others to drag Payne to his room rather than keeping him in a safe location until medical help could arrive.
Nores, the businessman, is also suspected of failing to provide help when Payne needed it most. He allegedly left the singer alone, even though he knew Payne struggled with addiction and was not in a state to care for himself.
Many questions have been raised about the role of the hotel staff and management in the tragic incident. Legal experts suggest that hotels have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their guests, especially when they are visibly unwell or intoxicated.
Prosecutors argue that the hotel’s staff failed to take proper action to protect Payne. Instead, they may have worsened the situation by ignoring warning signs and allowing him to remain in a dangerous environment.
News of Payne’s death has deeply saddened his fans and former bandmates. Members of One Direction were seen attending his funeral, offering support to his grieving family.
Fans have taken to social media to express their sorrow and share memories of the singer. Many described Payne as a talented artist who brought joy to millions through his music.
The investigation into Payne’s death is still ongoing, and legal proceedings are expected to take time. The court will need to examine evidence, including witness testimonies and hotel security footage, to determine what really happened that night.
While some of the accused have been arrested, others remain free but are restricted from leaving Argentina. Their defense teams are preparing to fight the charges, claiming their clients are innocent.
Paiz’s lawyer has already requested that his client be released from custody, arguing that he has been cooperative and does not pose a risk to the investigation. However, the final decision rests with the judge handling the case.
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