Argentinian authorities have charged three individuals concerning the death of Liam Payne, former One Direction star.
The singer passed away on 16 October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.
One individual accompanying Payne has been charged with abandonment leading to death and the facilitation and supply of drugs, as reported by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office.
Additionally, a hotel staff member and another individual have been charged with drug supply. The identities of the arrested parties have not been disclosed.
Following Payne’s death, police discovered substances in his hotel room along with destroyed property and furniture. Hotel staff had previously made emergency calls reporting a guest who had consumed excessive drugs and alcohol and was causing significant damage to the room.
On Thursday, the public prosecutor’s office announced that toxicology tests showed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in Payne’s system.
A post-mortem examination attributed his cause of death to “multiple trauma” and “internal and external haemorrhage” due to the fall from the balcony.
The prosecutor’s office indicated that medical reports suggest Payne may have fallen while semi-conscious or completely unconscious. These findings rule out the possibility of a deliberate act, concluding that Payne was unaware of his actions.
Authorities have conducted nine raids in Buenos Aires as part of the ongoing investigation. Investigators are also examining Payne’s broken laptop and other seized devices.
The prosecutor’s office has reviewed over 800 hours of security camera footage from the hotel and nearby streets, and gathered numerous testimonies from hotel staff, family, friends, and medical professionals.
Payne’s body was released to his family on Wednesday for repatriation to the UK.
Frances Ibiefo
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