The investigation into the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne has led to formal charges against three individuals in Argentina, prosecutors announced on November 7, 2024. Payne, 31, died on October 16 after a fall from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires. According to authorities, Payne’s toxicology report revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant, leading investigators to explore whether negligence or illicit activities contributed to the circumstances of his death. The suspects, who have not been fully identified, face charges of “abandonment of a person followed by death” and “supply and facilitation of narcotics,” as authorities reconstruct Payne’s final days in Argentina.
Among the accused is a hotel employee who allegedly connected Payne to a local drug supplier; the employee denies directly supplying drugs but admits to having social contact with the singer. Prosecutors have also charged an acquaintance, Rogelio “Roger” Nores, with abandonment, citing his failure to inform Payne’s family about his deteriorating state and lack of response to police inquiries following Payne’s death. The third individual charged is reportedly a drug dealer thought to have facilitated Payne’s access to narcotics during his time in Buenos Aires.
Payne’s stay in Argentina initially drew attention due to his attendance at fellow One Direction member Niall Horan’s concert on October 2, after which Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, returned to the United States. Payne remained in Argentina and reportedly spent his last days between two hotels, primarily alone. The autopsy determined that Payne’s fatal injuries from the fall were not self-inflicted, nor were they the result of physical intervention. Instead, officials suggested that Payne likely lost consciousness near the balcony, leading to the accidental fall that claimed his life.
Known worldwide as a member of One Direction, Payne’s career skyrocketed after the band’s debut in 2010, with hits like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life” securing global success. Since the band’s indefinite hiatus in 2016, Payne had pursued a solo career and engaged with fans about his mental health struggles and past battles with addiction, making his untimely death resonate deeply with his global fanbase. This latest update has raised questions about accountability, especially regarding the individuals around him in his final days.
As the investigation unfolds, the defendants face strict travel restrictions, and further court proceedings are expected. In the meantime, Payne’s family has brought his body back to the UK, where he will be laid to rest.
