AB
A new update has emerged in the tragic case of the One Direction singer.
Five individuals are now facing charges in connection with the death of One Direction star Liam Payne, who tragically passed away at the age of 31.
Payne died after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16. He had been in Argentina to attend a concert by his former bandmate Niall Horan as part of his worldwide tour.
The Charges
Argentinian newspapers Clarin and Infobae first reported the charges, which have been confirmed by the Argentinian Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Two of the people charged include a hotel employee and a waiter, both accused of providing Payne with cocaine. The hotel worker allegedly supplied Payne with the drug on two separate occasions, including the day he died, while the waiter is accused of doing so on October 14.
A chief receptionist at the hotel is facing manslaughter charges after allegedly instructing three people to “drag” Payne to his room, where he later fell from the balcony.
Additionally, the hotel manager has been charged with manslaughter. According to court documents, the balcony posed a “serious threat,” and the manager should have ensured that Payne was placed in a safe area until medical help arrived.
Finally, a friend of Payne’s has been charged with manslaughter for failing to provide proper care and assistance. The friend allegedly left Payne in a vulnerable state, knowing he was struggling with multiple addictions and unable to care for himself.
Judge’s Statement
Judge Laura Bruniard, who is overseeing the case, stated that while she does not believe those charged with manslaughter intentionally caused Payne’s death, their actions led to a “risk” to his life.
A toxicology report from November revealed that Payne’s system contained a mix of cocaine, alcohol, and antidepressants at the time of his death.
Reactions to the Tragic Loss
Payne’s death, which shocked the world, made international headlines due to his fame as a former member of One Direction. His bandmates expressed their devastation through a joint statement:
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”
Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson all attended the funeral, along with Simon Cowell and Cheryl Tweedy, Payne’s former partner.
Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with Cheryl. In an emotional statement on Instagram, Cheryl expressed her grief:
“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own pain, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being. Liam wasn’t just a pop star—he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend, and a father to our 7-year-old son.
“A son who now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again. What is breaking my heart even more is that one day Bear will have to see the horrific media coverage that we’ve been subjected to in these past few days. It’s heartbreaking that I can’t protect him from that in the future.”
