Investigators are searching for answers in regards to what led to ’s death.
On October 16, 2024, the former One Direction member fell to his death from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old.
A press release translated from Argentina’s public prosecutor on November 7, 2024, revealed that Payne’s death was not being ruled as a suicide.
The details of the situation “rule out the possibility of a conscious or voluntary act,” the statement explained. “In the state he was in, he did not know what he was doing nor could he understand it.”
Payne rose to fame in 2010 as a member of the boy band One Direction, which was formed by and his fellow X Factor UK judges. Despite the group — which also consisted of , , and — finishing in third place, 1D went on to become one of the biggest music acts in history.
As fans continue to mourn the tragic death of Payne, here’s everything we know about the ongoing death investigation:
What Was Liam Payne Doing in Argentina?
During his latest visit to Argentina, Payne made time to attend Horan’s concert at the Movistar Arena on October 2, 2024. His on-again, off-again girlfriend , 25, accompanied Payne to the show. (She later left Argentina to return to the United States two days before his sudden death.)
What Happened During Liam Payne’s Final Days?
In the days before Payne’s death, many fans shared positive memories of interacting with the singer. Some admirers spotted the singer outside the Palacio Duhau Hotel in Buenos Aires on September 30, 2024, and were able to share a brief interaction with him. “He looked good,” exclusively told Us Weekly. “The relationship with the fans was unique. He took the time to greet each one of them, to take a picture, to be there, to share.”
On the day of his actual death, however, Payne allegedly displayed troubling behavior. The chief receptionist at the CasaSur Palermo had called 911 about an unnamed visitor saying, “We have a guest who is high on drugs and who is trashing the room.”
While the line cut out, the receptionist dialed the emergency hotline back and warned that a guest “may be in danger” since his hotel room had a balcony.
Who Has Been Charged in Connection to Liam Payne’s Death?
On November 7, 2024, three unnamed individuals had been charged with abandonment leading to death and the supply and facilitation of narcotics.
Investigators gathered multiple testimonies from hotel staff, family, friends and medical professionals and reviewed more than 800 hours of footage from security cameras and other public cameras as part of the investigation.
Officials also examined guest records and restaurant bills to determine who visited Payne and to look into his drinking and eating habits.
The prosecutor’s investigation showed “clear evidence of at least four instances of narcotics supply from third parties and other facilitation of addictive consumption by Payne’s direct circle during his stay at the hotel between October 13 and 16.”
One month later, court documents obtained by Rolling Stone revealed that two of the individuals who were accused of giving Payne drugs will be interrogated on December 17, 2024. The third person is set to be questioned on December 18, 2024.
The same documents revealed that a judge is weighing charges against two CasaSur Palermo hotel employees: the receptionist and hotel manager. They will be notified about the accusation and questioned on December 19, 2024.
On December 29, 2024, a local news outlet in Argentina reported that five charges had been made. Payne’s friend is among those facing manslaughter charges, along with , a receptionist at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, and the hotel’s head of security .
, a waiter, and CasaSur employee were charged with allegedly supplying drugs to Payne ahead of his death, per the report. All five of those charged were summoned to appear in court.
What Have the Suspects Said About Liam Payne’s Death?
In an interview with Argentina’s Telefe Noticias that aired on November 9, 2024, Paiz — the first charged suspect to identify themselves — denied dealing drugs to the late musician. “We took drugs together, but I never took drugs to him or accepted any money,” the 24-year-old waiter alleged. “I never supplied Liam with drugs.”
Paiz’s attorney also disclosed to Argentinian news outlets that although his client has a history with drugs, he adamantly denies any allegations of money ever changing hands.
Nores also spoke out and denied any involvement in the late singer’s death.
“I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened,” Nores told the Daily Mail in a November 7, 2024, statement. “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen. I’ve given my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since.”
What Was Liam Payne’s Cause of Death?
A preliminary autopsy report viewed by Us Weekly revealed that Payne died from “multiple injuries involving ‘internal and external hemorrhage,’” and was believed to be in a “state of semi or total unconsciousness” at the time of the fall.
ABC News also reported that a partial autopsy showed that Payne had “pink cocaine” — a recreational drug typically mixing methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA — along with cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack in his system.
An official cause of death is expected to be revealed at a later date.
When Will Liam Payne’s Funeral Take Place?
Three weeks after Payne’s tragic death, Us Weekly confirmed his body was flown on a flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to London on November 6, 2024.
Payne’s father, , flew to Argentina to identify his son’s body and arrange for transport back across the pond. The process was delayed as local authorities conducted an investigation.
On November 20, 2024, Payne’s friends and family gathered in Amersham, England, for a private funeral. His former One Direction bandmates were in attendance.
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