A probe into the death of Liam Payne remains ongoing nearly a year after the One Direction star’s tragic death.
A 31-year-old individual tragically passed away in Buenos Aires after a fall from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel around 5pm local time on October 16, 2024.
His medical cause of death was previously confirmed to be ‘polytrauma’, a term which means a person has multiple traumatic injuries to their body.
Following the incident, Liam’s acquaintance Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, along with hotel operator Gilda Martin and receptionist Esteban Grassi, initially faced manslaughter charges, which were eventually dismissed.
Hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra, 22, and waiter Braian Paiz, 25, have been charged with supplying cocaine to the singer.
The trial for the two remaining suspects is yet to be scheduled, as authorities in Argentina are still reviewing extensive evidence, including 800 hours of surveillance footage, as well as mobile phones and laptops.
An Argentinian source told The Sun: ‘Police are still looking through Liam’s laptop and the mobile phones of people connected to the inquiry.
‘It’s very frustrating as the likelihood of a trial still seems a long way off, and there is a sense that the police investigation is too slow.’
One suspect’s phone, used to communicate with the deceased pop star days prior to his death at the Buenos Aires hotel, was only examined in March despite being seized as evidence last November, as reported.
A probe into the death of Liam Payne remains ongoing nearly a year after the One Direction star’s tragic death
Liam Payne and girlfriend Kate Cassidy in Dubai in 2023
Should Paiz and Pereyra be convicted of the drug-related charges against them, they could face up to 15 years in prison. Both have been detained since January.
Currently, evidence is being analysed by four judges and returned for more examination, a source explained.
The case has been revisited by the original judge after the most recent prosecutor reviewed it in September and is currently reassessing the gathered evidence.
‘Clearly more needs to be combed through such as the 800 hours of CCTV, the mobile phones and Liam’s laptop.’
In the aftermath Liam’s friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, hotel operator Gilda Martin and receptionist Esteban Grassi faced manslaughter charges, although these were later dropped.
In Argentina, a prosecution office sets evidence before a judge who determines whether a trial will go ahead.
But in the UK, the pop star’s family are said to be hopeful the two suspects currently facing criminal charges will face a trial.
Cheryl Tweedy, the mother of his eight-year-old son Bear, is being kept informed about developments in relation to legal proceedings.
Paiz has long protested his innocence and, while he admits providing the One Direction star with cocaine, he denies accepting money for the drugs – which is what he has been charged with.
‘He is totally convinced, as are we,’ his lawyer Juan Pablo Madeo Facente told the Daily Mail, ‘and we believe that most people would understand too: he is innocent. Or at least he shouldn’t be held responsible to the extent he is now.’
Despite his lawyers claim, court documents say he has been charged for selling cocaine to the One Direction star only two days before he passed away.
‘It’s the first anniversary of Liam’s death so I have started to revisit all the memories,’ Paiz previously told The Sun.
The 31-year-old shot to fame in 2010 on XFactor with former bandmates Niall Horan , Zayn Malik , Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson , despite initially auditioning separately.
Waiter Braian Paiz with Liam Payne. Paiz has admitted to providing Payne with cocaine
Fans place candles outside the hotel where Liam Payne was found dead last October
‘I was so sad about what happened and I feel for his family who must be finding it so hard.
‘I wish he hadn’t died and things were different. I used to feel regret about what happened, but actually I don’t regret meeting him as he was my idol and I was a big fan.’
Although Liam’s cause of death was determined to be multiple external and internal trauma injuries, a toxicology report found there were traces of cocaine, alcohol and prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his death.
The X Factor star had been in Buenos Aires for a five-day holiday with his influencer girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 26, where they attended his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert.
Kate flew back to the US three days before his passing, while Liam chose to remain in Argentina by extending his vacation.
It has been alleged he turned to alcohol and substances, with allegations he was booted out of the Palacio Duhau, Park Hyatt, for disturbing guests, before he booked into the CasaSur Palmero Hotel.
Eye-witnesses also alleged, just hours before his passing, the singer was ‘behaving erratically’, with the One Direction star appearing to be carried from the lobby by hotel staff in CCTV footage.
Shortly before 5pm, the hotel manager had called Argentinian officials alleging Liam was under the influence and damaging his room, while also expressing worries the pop star would cause himself harm.
Moments later, a loud bang was heard from the hotel’s courtyard where Liam was found. Another call was made for an ambulance.
His death sparked global grief amongst fans of his music career, with fans holding vigils in the UK, US, Argentina and further afield.
