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 into Payne’s death led to charges “with the crimes of abandonment of a person followed by death, supply and facilitation of narcotics.”
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. 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.
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 so it could be flown 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. As Payne’s tragic case continues to unfold, medical professionals who attended to him at the scene revealed the singer’s cause of death. Payne died instantly after his fall due to multiple injuries, including a fractured skull. Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescentia 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.
“Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death,” Crescentia explained. 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.