Three individuals, including a friend, a hotel employee, and an alleged drug dealer, have been charged in connection with the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Wednesday.
The friend, reportedly acting as Payne’s manager, faces abandonment charges for allegedly failing to inform Payne’s family of his drug relapse, according to La Nación. Authorities attempted to contact this friend following Payne’s fatal fall on Oct. 16, but he was unreachable, and a judge has since deemed his inaction a breach of duty of care, carrying a potential sentence of five to 15 years.
The hotel employee and alleged drug dealer face charges for allegedly supplying Payne with narcotics, though their identities remain undisclosed. Investigators believe the employee connected Payne to the drug supplier. Payne had been staying at CasaSur Palermo hotel in Argentina with girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who left the country shortly before his tragic fall.
Ongoing investigations include a recent raid of the hotel, where police recovered surveillance footage, documents, and additional evidence. Authorities also searched the alleged dealer’s home, seizing drugs, cell phones, and computers. A toxicology report confirmed multiple substances, including cocaine and pink cocaine (Tusi), were found in Payne’s system at his time of death.
Further complicating the investigation, two escorts who spent time with Payne before his death gave conflicting testimony, with one facing additional scrutiny over her account. Prosecutors are still investigating possible foul play, suspecting Payne may have fought with the women after allegedly refusing payment.
