Newly released images from the Buenos Aires hotel where Liam Payne died offer a haunting glimpse into the singer's final hours, including visits from two women and deliveries of alcohol to his room.
Police Dossier Reveals New Details
The photographs are part of a police dossier containing more than 3,000 documents and images gathered during the investigation into Payne's death. The former One Direction star, 31, died on October 16, 2024, after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Argentina.
Among the images are CCTV pictures showing Payne speaking with two women, Aldana Serrano and Lucila Goitea, in the hotel lobby before they accompanied him to his room. Other images show hotel staff carrying buckets with bottles of alcohol toward Payne's room.
Women's Account of the Day
Serrano and Goitea told police they had consensual sex with Payne on the day he died. They also claimed the singer serenaded them with his own songs before asking about cocaine. The pair alleged Payne argued with them over the agreed $5,000 (£3,700) payment because he did not have cash available.
The images also include a CCTV grab taken about an hour before Payne died, in which he appears withdrawn. Payne had been alone in Buenos Aires after his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and friend Rogelio 'Roger' Nores had left the country. According to the women, the singer had appeared sober during the two weeks they had spent with him, but his behaviour changed after they left.
Hotel Staff Concerns
Hotel staff had raised concerns about Payne's behaviour. Messages in the police dossier show hotel manager Gilda Martin warning colleagues about his conduct. In a 'Reception' WhatsApp chat, she wrote: "This person is going to be very intense throughout his stay. It's important that we tell him 'no', always kindly and with excuses." A colleague replied: "Will do whatever we can."
On another occasion, a waitress called Adri was asked to deliver five bottles of whisky to Room 301 and was reportedly told: "Take security with you." Receipts in the dossier show Payne spent more than $600,000 on bottles of Johnnie Walker whisky on the day of his death.
Father's Account and Toxicology
Payne's father, Geoff Payne, later gave an account to prosecutors following his son's death. He said his son was "not in control with what he did," adding: "He was not Liam."
A toxicology report conducted after Payne's death found cocaine, alcohol, and the sedative Klonopin in his system at the time of the fatal fall.
Charges Against Hotel Workers
Two men, hotel worker Ezequiel Pereyra, 22, and waiter Braian Paiz, 26, have been charged with supplying drugs to the singer. Both deny the charges and were later released on bail after spending months in custody.
