In a tragic and untimely turn of events, three individuals have been charged in connection with the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne. Payne, 31, passed away on October 16, 2024, after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The incident occurred at a hotel in the upscale Palermo neighborhood, where Payne was staying.

Argentinian prosecutors, led by Andrés Madrea, have filed charges against three individuals connected to the case. One person, reportedly close to Payne, faces charges of abandonment leading to death and the facilitation and supply of drugs. Additionally, a hotel staff member and another individual have been charged with supplying drugs to Payne. While the identities of those charged have not been disclosed, Judge Laura Bruniard has ruled that they cannot leave the country as the investigation continues.

Following Payne’s death, police discovered substances in his hotel room, along with destroyed furniture and other signs of damage. Toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system. Witness accounts and emergency calls from hotel staff earlier that night reported a guest consuming excessive drugs and alcohol and causing damage to his room. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage” due to the fall, with medical reports suggesting that Payne may have fallen while semi-conscious or unconscious. This has led authorities to rule out any deliberate act, concluding that Payne was unaware of his actions at the time.

The investigation has been extensive, with authorities conducting nine raids across Buenos Aires, collecting over 800 hours of hotel and street surveillance footage, and gathering testimonies from hotel staff, family, friends, and medical professionals. As part of the ongoing inquiry, Payne’s body has been released to his family for repatriation to the UK. The charges against these individuals mark a crucial development in the case as authorities seek to fully uncover the circumstances surrounding Payne’s tragic death.