Three individuals have been arrested in Argentina in relation to the death of British pop sensation Liam Payne. The suspects are accused of supplying the One Direction member with cocaine and subsequently abandoning him before his fatal fall from a third-floor hotel in Buenos Aires.
The first suspect, a close friend of Payne, was reportedly with the singer throughout his stay in Buenos Aires but left him before the tragic incident. This individual is also alleged to have supplied Payne with cocaine. If convicted, the suspect could face a prison term of five to 15 years.
The second individual, an employee of the Casa Sur Palermo Hotel, is accused of providing Payne with narcotics on two separate occasions. The third suspect, identified by prosecutors as a drug dealer, is also facing two counts of drug supply charges.
Following the tragic incident on October 16, a comprehensive investigation was initiated, leaving Payne’s millions of fans in shock. The authorities interviewed a wide range of individuals, including hotel staff, family members, medical professionals, and experts. They also reviewed approximately 800 hours of surveillance footage and scrutinized Payne’s phone records, including his calls, messages, and social media activity. Police also examined guest records and food and drink receipts, and conducted nine raids.
Medical examiners and experts also investigated the circumstances of Payne’s fall. Toxicology reports revealed that Payne had minimal amounts of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system at the time of his death. Experts concluded that Payne was either unconscious or nearly unconscious when he fell, as he made no attempt to brace himself upon impact. His injuries were consistent with a fall from such a height, according to authorities. They dismissed the possibilities of suicide or foul play.
A comprehensive 180-page report was compiled by the authorities and presented to a judge last Friday, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants on Thursday. There were rumors of Payne behaving erratically in the hotel lobby prior to his death, and images of a table laden with drugs in his hotel room were circulated on social media.
Earlier this week, Payne’s body was released to his family and transported back to his native England.