Individuals, including Liam Payne’s friend, face accusations related to the singer’s tragic death in October after a hotel plunge.
Five men have been formally charged in connection with the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. The charges include accusations of drug sales and manslaughter, with two suspects given 24 hours to return to court after being told they may face remand in custody.
The individuals involved include Braian Nahuel Paiz, a 24-year-old waiter, and Ezequiel David Pereyra, 21, who was employed at the Buenos Aires hotel where Payne tragically fell. Paiz and Pereyra have been accused of selling Payne drugs on two separate occasions, facing a maximum 15-year prison sentence if convicted.
Along with them, Liam’s friend Roger Nores, hotel receptionist Esteban Grassi, and head of hotel security Gilda Martin have also been charged. The three latter suspects have been charged with manslaughter. Rather than remanding them in custody, Judge Laura Bruniard imposed a travel ban and ordered them to forfeit an amount of around £38,000 in Argentine pesos.
The legal proceedings have sparked controversy, particularly over WhatsApp messages between Paiz and Payne, which played a key role in the decision to charge Paiz with selling drugs. Paiz’s lawyer has strongly contested the charges, arguing that Paiz only used drugs for personal consumption and was not involved in dealing to Payne. He claimed that the two men met socially and shared drugs, refuting the claim that Paiz had sold them.
As for Pereyra, who faces allegations of selling drugs to Payne in the days leading up to his death, no comment has been made from him or his legal representation.
The hotel staff involved, Grassi and Martin, have been linked to the final moments before Payne’s death, with a chilling photo showing the pair carrying Payne back to his hotel room shortly before the fatal fall. Leaked text messages suggest that Payne was attempting to obtain cocaine from a hotel bellboy shortly after checking in, and also repeatedly requested alcohol and drugs during his stay.
Roger Nores, who was initially suspected of abandoning Payne before the fall, has denied accusations of erratic behaviour, stating that he left the hotel 40 minutes before the tragic incident and had been in good spirits. Nores, who was not Payne’s manager but a close friend, also refuted claims of negligence, maintaining his innocence in a statement released after the incident.
This case continues to unfold as the investigation into Liam Payne’s death progresses, with the legal and social implications of the incident capturing widespread attention.
