The release notes that the investigation into Payne’s death found that the three defendants engaged in “unlawful conduct,” which included “abandoning a person” before his death, in addition to providing and facilitating drug use
According to the Argentine investigation, one of the accused was with the singer daily during his stay in Buenos Aires. It is this person who is accused of having abandoned him.
An employee of the hotel where the events took place – the CasaSur Palermo – allegedly supplied cocaine to Payne twice. The third person allegedly supplied him with drugs on two occasions.
In the three days before his death, Payne had used alcohol, cocaine and an antidepressant, according to the prosecutor.
Payne fell from the third floor of CasaSur in the Palermo district. His death was pronounced on the spot.
After the incident, Pablo Policicchio, spokesperson for the Buenos Aires city security ministry, said in a statement to the Associated Press that the singer “threw himself from the balcony of his room.”
Mr. Policicchio said police were dispatched to the hotel in response to an emergency call regarding an “aggressive man who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
The hotel manager can be heard in a 911 call obtained by the AP saying they have “a guest who is dominated by drugs and alcohol […] He’s destroying the whole room and we need you to send someone, please.” The manager’s voice became more concerned as the call continued, including when he indicated that the room has a balcony.
When police arrived, they heard a loud noise and found Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard, the spokesperson added.
SEE ALSO | These are the 911 calls before former One Direction member Liam Payne’s fatal fall
Liam Payne has spoken openly about his alcoholism problems. In a video posted in July 2023 on his YouTube channel, he claimed to have been sober for six months after receiving treatment.
One Direction fans flocked to the Casa Sur hotel after the news broke. They formed long lines that spilled out onto the city street while police stood guard outside. Young women present at the scene expressed their shock and grief. An impromptu memorial with rows of candles and flowers quickly took hold outside the hotel.
Liam Payne was one of five members of One Direction, who formed when they each auditioned for the British singing competition show The X Factor in 2010, two years after Payne’s first attempt to appear on the show. At age 16, for his second appearance on the show, he sang Michael Bublé’s version of Cry Me a River. He seemed nervous at first, but regained his energy to the cheers and applause of the audience.
After each singer failed to qualify for the competition as a solo artist, Simon Cowell and the other judges put together Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson to form what would become one of boys bands the most important.
After the group disbanded, Payne – like all of his former bandmates – pursued a solo career, moving into electronic music and hip-hop. Its simple Strip That Down reached the top 10 on the Billboard chart and remained one of the most streamed songs for several months. Liam Payne released an album, titled LP1in 2019. His last song, Teardropswas released in March.
With his meteoric rise to fame, Payne had testified that it took him some time to adjust to the public eye.
Liam Payne left behind a 7-year-old son, Bear Gray Payne. He had it with his former girlfriend, musician Cheryl, known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud. She was judge of The X Factor during the season of One Direction, although their relationship began years later. Liam Payne was previously engaged to Maya Henry, from August 2020 to early 2022. Ms Henry published a novel earlier this year which she said was based on their relationship.
He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
