Five People Accused in Connection with Liam Payne’s Death

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Liam Payne’s tragic death on October 16, 2024, left the music world in shock. The former One Direction star died after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. At first, it was hard to believe, but the initial shock quickly turned into questions: What really happened?

The investigation has named five people, including a close friend of Payne and several hotel staff members, who are now facing serious charges related to his death, according to the EFE news agency.

Buenos Aires’ Criminal and Correctional Court 34 has also ordered pre-trial detention for two of the accused and summoned them to appear in court within 24 business hours, as reported by Infobae. Toxicology reports showed that Payne had consumed a mix of substances the night he died, including alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants. The combination, along with a lack of proper oversight, proved fatal.

The Accused

While the incident was initially seen as a tragic accident, Argentine prosecutors have uncovered evidence to charge five individuals. Roger Nores, a close friend of Payne is one of them. According to the allegations, Nores left Payne in a vulnerable state, even though he was fully aware of his condition after prolonged substance use.

Two employees of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, are facing charges for supplying drugs. They are accused of providing the substances Payne consumed that night and could face prison sentences of four to fifteen years.

The hotel manager, Gilda Martin, and reception chief, Esteban Grassi, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Judge Laura Bruniard, who is overseeing the case, stated that they failed in their responsibility to ensure Payne’s safety. Instead of arranging proper medical supervision, they allowed him to return to his room, where the tragedy ultimately occurred.

Judge Bruniard explained that while the accused likely did not intend for Payne to die, their actions—or lack of action—created a serious risk to his life. “They were reckless in allowing him to be taken to his room in that condition,” the judge said. As the trial moves forward, attention is now on how the case will unfold and what steps can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.