Three People Charged in Death of Liam Payne in Argentina

Three individuals have been charged in relation to the death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, who tragically fell from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires last month. The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office in Argentina made the announcement on Thursday, though they have not revealed the names of the suspects.

One suspect, described as someone who "accompanied the artist daily during his stay," has been charged with abandonment of a person followed by death, a crime that can result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years. The other two individuals face charges related to drug trafficking, having allegedly supplied Payne with narcotics during his time in Buenos Aires. One of them was a hotel employee, while the other is identified as a drug supplier.

Authorities reported that the investigation uncovered evidence of illegal activities. Investigators reviewed testimonies from hotel staff, doctors, psychiatrists, and people close to Payne, along with hundreds of hours of security footage and cellphone records. They also conducted several raids on properties connected to the case.

An autopsy revealed that Payne, who was 31 years old, had alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his death. The official cause of death was ruled as multiple trauma from the fall, along with internal and external hemorrhaging. Investigators found no signs of self-harm or any physical harm inflicted by others. They also concluded that Payne likely fell unconscious before the fall, as he showed no signs of trying to break the fall or protect himself.

Payne’s unexpected death has led to an outpouring of grief from his One Direction bandmates. Louis Tomlinson paid an emotional tribute, describing Payne as the "most vital part" of the group. He expressed how lucky he felt to have shared a close bond with him after the band’s break-up. Harry Styles shared his devastation, remembering Payne for his joy in making others happy. Niall Horan, who had recently seen Payne before his trip to Argentina, expressed deep sadness at their final goodbye. Finally, Zayn Malik, who left the band early, postponed his solo tour to mourn Payne's passing, describing him as a brother and sharing how much he would miss him.

Payne’s death has left a lasting impact on those who knew him, and the grief from his loss continues to be deeply felt by his friends, family, and fans worldwide.