Three suspects have been charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death according to Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office. Payne tragically died on October 16 after falling from a hotel balcony. Authorities are now looking into three people for potential involvement in crimes related to his death, including a hotel employee and a suspected drug dealer.
The individuals are facing preliminary charges of an “abandonment of a person followed by death” and “supply and facilitation of narcotics”.
SUSPECT INVESTIGATION
Three individuals are under investigation:
- The first suspect was reportedly close to Payne during his time in Buenos Aires and is suspected of abandonment and supplying drugs.
- The second suspect was a hotel employee who allegedly provided Payne with cocaine on two occasions during his stay at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
- The third suspect was a narcotics supplier who is suspected of supplying Payne with drugs, possibly on October 14, two days before his death.
DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT
Authorities believe that Payne fell from a hotel balcony while either unconscious or in a significantly diminished state of consciousness. They’ve ruled out suicide and have confirmed that there was no third party involvement (e.g. no foul play or physical altercation before the fall).
Investigators analyzed over 800 hours of video footage, as well as messages and calls from Payne’s phone. They believe he obtained drugs on at least four occasions during his stay. Two women who were with him shortly before his death stated they didn’t see him using drugs, but he did drink alcohol.
TOXICOLOGY REPORT
Toxicology test showed Payne had a combination of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system in the days leading up to his death, confirming that Payne was likely not fully conscious at the time of his fall.
The authorities are holding the three suspects accountable for neglecting Payne while he was under the influence of drugs for supplying him with cocaine. His death was ruled accidental but directly tied to the drugs in his system and his fall.
