Three people have been charged with manslaughter, and two others with drug supply, in connection with the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who fell from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony in October. The 31-year-old died after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur hotel on 16 October.
Argentina's public prosecutions ministry confirmed on Monday that Payne's friend Roger Nores, hotel manager Gilda Martín, and head receptionist Esteban Grassi were charged with negligent homicide. Prosecutors allege Nores abandoned Payne knowing he was incapable of caring for himself, while Martín and Grassi are accused of allowing him to be taken to his room while intoxicated, where a balcony posed a risk.
Judge Laura Bruniard stated that bringing Payne to his room in that state created a legally unacceptable risk to his life. She noted that an autopsy confirmed the presence of cocaine and alcohol in large quantities, and that hotel staff had seen Payne demanding drugs. The judge said the three charged contributed to creating a risk that resulted in his death, though not in a planned manner.
Two others, waiter Braian Paiz and hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra, were charged with supplying narcotics and detained. Pereyra is accused of delivering cocaine to Payne on 15 and 16 October, while Paiz allegedly supplied cocaine twice on 14 October, including during a stay in Payne's hotel room. Both face drug supply charges.
Forensic experts concluded Payne fell onto the hotel restaurant's patio without any sign of defence, suffering multiple injuries, particularly to his head. Judge Bruniard said Payne did not faint but, in his intoxicated state, tried to leave via the balcony and fell. Nores has been prevented from leaving Argentina pending trial.
