Authorities in Argentina have charged three people in connection with the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who died on October 16 in Buenos Aires.
Prosecutor Andrés Esteban Madrea of the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office recently announced that the investigation led to charges “with the crimes of abandonment of a person followed by death, supply and facilitation of narcotics.”
Liam Payne attends The Summer Party 2019 in London on June 25, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
The first suspect, who accompanied Payne during his stay in Buenos Aires, faces charges of “abandonment of a person followed by death,” which could result in up to 15 years in prison.
A second suspect, a hotel employee, allegedly supplied Payne with cocaine on two occasions, while a third individual reportedly provided drugs to Payne twice on October 14, two days before his death.
Liam Payne attends the “I Am Bolt” world premiere in London on November 28, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
The prosecutor charged both the second and third suspects “with the crime of supplying narcotics.”
Before filing charges, investigators conducted searches, reviewed surveillance footage, and interviewed hotel staff, acquaintances, and medical professionals over two weeks.
They also examined Payne’s phone for calls, messages, and social media activity.
Authorities later reported that his injuries were consistent with a fall from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Hotel, with no signs of third-party involvement.
Liam Payne attends “Inside My Head – The Concert” in London on September 20, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Further, toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant in his system from the days before his death.
Police and firefighters are at the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Liam Payne died on October 16, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
During the authorities’ probe into the case, the artist’s father, Geoff Payne, traveled to Buenos Aires to reclaim his son’s body.
According to a November 7 report by the BBC, authorities released Payne’s body to his family on November 6, and they planned to fly it back to the UK.
Payne’s family, who described themselves as “heartbroken,” released a statement, “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”
Kate Cassidy, Payne’s girlfriend at the time of his death, said they had been planning to marry within the year.
Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy attend the Grand Reveal Weekend for Atlantis The Royal, Dubai’s new ultra-luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on January 21, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
As Payne’s tragic case continues to unfold, medical professionals who attended to him at the scene revealed the singer’s cause of death.
Liam Payne attends the Grand Reveal Weekend for Atlantis The Royal, Dubai’s new ultra-luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on January 21, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Payne died instantly after his fall due to multiple injuries, including a fractured skull.
Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti stated that his team arrived at the scene as quickly as possible to provide medical attention and attempt resuscitation, but they were unable to revive him due to the severity of his injuries.
Liam Payne arrives at the “All Of Those Voices” UK Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square in London, England, on March 16, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
“Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death,” Crescenti explained.
Forensic workers take the body of British singer Liam Payne on a fire van from the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
More information emerged involving the musician’s death, including details of a distressing 911 call from a panicked hotel staff.
According to the report received by Argentinian police, a man at the hotel was behaving aggressively and was possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The hotel’s head of reception made two calls; the first one reported was about a guest causing significant damage to one of their rooms.
After the first call disconnected, the police received another one.
Liam Payne visits the Magic Radio in London, England, on September 3, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
In a second call, the reception head urged, “We need to send someone with urgency because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger because he is in a room with balcony, and we are afraid he could do something that threatens life.”
Liam Payne attends the Cartier and British Vogue Darlings Dinner at the Residence at Cartier New Bond Street in London, England, on June 5, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Celebrities, including Charlie Puth and Paris Hilton, mourned Payne’s death with heartfelt social media posts, expressing shock, heartbreak, and condolences to his loved ones.
Numerous distressed fans gathered at the hotel, many in tears as they lit candles and placed mementos at a makeshift shrine.
Fans of British singer Liam Payne lit candles next to the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Some grieved and sang the One Direction ballad, “If I Could Fly,” with the poignant line, “If I could fly, I’d be coming right back home to you.”
Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan of One Direction sign their new book “One Direction: Forever Young: Our Official X-Factor Story” in Manchester, England, on March 7, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
Handwritten messages in Spanish and English were attached to a tree outside the hotel, where fans also left candles and flowers.
Fans of Liam Payne gathered outside the hotel to sing the band’s songs and leave a candle at an improvised altar after British musician Liam James Payne died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Payne is survived by his son, Bear, whom he shares with singer and former partner Cheryl Cole.
The former couple announced they were expecting their first child in November 2016, and Bear was born in 2017.
In a 2018 People interview, Payne discussed the joys and challenges of fatherhood, “I always wanted to be a young dad, but I didn’t really expect that I’d ever be in this place.”
The singer also humorously referred to himself as “Dada Montana” as he balanced his music career with being a parent.
In light of recent developments in Liam Payne‘s case, Argentinian authorities expect the three suspects to face court proceedings soon and will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
