Argentine authorities have filed charges against five individuals in connection with the tragic demise of Liam Payne, the former One Direction vocalist who plummeted from a third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel in October. Among those indicted are three employees of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where the singer met his untimely end, as confirmed by a statement released by the local prosecutor's office.
A toxicology report, derived from post-mortem tests, revealed that the 31-year-old Payne had cocaine, alcohol, and a prescribed antidepressant in his bloodstream at the time of his passing on October 16th. The prosecutor's office suggested that his death was not a suicide, noting that Payne fell while in a state of unconsciousness. The autopsy further confirmed that the cause of death was "multiple trauma" and "internal and external bleeding."
On December 27th, investigating judge Laura Bruniard indicted the five defendants, highlighting security footage from the hotel that depicted Payne in a helpless state. In her decision to move forward with a trial, Judge Bruniard relied on evidence gathered by the prosecutors. According to Argentina's legal system, the defendants' legal representatives now have the option to appeal this decision before a prosecutor makes a final decision to proceed with the trial, taking into account all available evidence.
The hotel manager, Gilda Martin, the chief receptionist, Esteban Grassi, and a friend of Payne's, the businessman Rogelio Nores, are accused of negligence leading to the singer's death. They face charges of negligent homicide in a professional setting, which in Argentina, carries a penalty ranging from one to five years in prison.
The prosecutor's office statement, which identified the defendants using their initials, as is customary at this juncture of a criminal proceeding in Argentina, detailed that Martin and Grassi were in the hotel lobby and observed Payne's severe intoxication, to the point where he was unable to stand. The statement emphasized that these individuals, along with Nores, should have safeguarded Payne from the peril of his hotel room until he received medical attention. Additionally, Grassi is accused of instructing three individuals to move Payne to his room.
Mr. Nores, described by authorities as a constant companion of Mr. Payne during his journey to Buenos Aires, faces accusations of neglecting his duty of care by abandoning Mr. Payne while he was intoxicated. Prosecutor Andres Madrea had initially sought more severe charges of abandonment leading to death against him, which could result in a prison sentence ranging from five to fifteen years.
An employee of the CasaSur Palermo hotel, Ezequiel Pereyra, and a local waiter, Braian Paiz, have been indicted for furnishing narcotics to Mr. Payne in the days preceding his untimely demise. Both Mr. Pereyra and Mr. Paiz have been remanded into custody. Judge Bruniard deemed preventative detention necessary due to the gravity of the charges, which entail a sentence of four to fifteen years in prison without the possibility of suspension.
Attempts to reach the lawyers of several defendants for comment were unsuccessful. However, Mr. Paiz's attorney, Fernando Madeo, denied his client's guilt and vowed to appeal the charge. He vehemently opposed the pretrial detention, branding it as absurd. "There is absolutely no risk of flight," he asserted.
Conversely, the three defendants accused of negligence in Mr. Payne's death were not remanded. Nevertheless, Mr. Nores, a US national, has been instructed to refrain from leaving Argentina. The lawyers representing Mr. Payne's family declined to comment on the indictment.
Mr. Payne achieved fame as a member of the British boy band One Direction, formed on the talent show "The X Factor" in 2010 when he was just 16. One Direction gained international acclaim and a loyal fanbase with hits such as "What Makes You Beautiful" and "Best Song Ever," before disbanding in 2016 to pursue solo careers. Mr. Payne released his only studio album, "LP1," in 2019.
His passing in October evoked an avalanche of sorrow from fans and collaborators. His funeral, a private ceremony held in Amersham, England, was attended by his former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, along with several members of the girl group Girls Aloud, including Cheryl, Mr. Payne's former partner and the mother of his seven-year-old son, Bear.
