In a recent court decision, charges have been dropped against three individuals previously implicated in the death of 31-year-old One Direction star Liam Payne, who fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
According to USA Today, a Buenos Aires court has ended the prosecution of a friend and two hotel employees involved with Payne, although two others still face charges.
In October, the world was shocked to learn about the death of Liam Payne, known for his role in the popular band One Direction. Payne died after suffering multiple injuries from a fall off a hotel balcony while he was in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Authorities announced that Payne had alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system, identified through toxicology tests conducted within 72 hours of his death. This pointed to a tragic set of circumstances leading up to his fatal fall.
Initially, Argentine prosecutors charged five people in connection with Payne's death. Of these, three faced charges of negligent homicide, and two were accused of supplying the singer with illegal drugs.
Following investigations and legal proceedings, Argentina's Court of Appeals ruled on a recent Wednesday that charges should be dropped against Roger Nores, Payne’s close friend, and two members of the hotel staff. The court's decision came after a careful review of the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death.
However, two hotel employees are still under scrutiny. Waiter Braian Paiz and another employee named Ezequiel Pereyra allegedly supplied Payne with cocaine during his stay – Paiz on October 14, and Pereyra on the following two days.
Nores, relieved by the court's decision, reportedly told the media that he looks forward to traveling to the UK to say his final goodbyes to his friend, highlighting the emotional toll the case has had on those close to Payne.
Following the announcement of the dropped charges, Roger Nores issued a lawsuit against Liam Payne’s father, Geoff Payne. Nores claims that Geoff provided false information to Argentine prosecutors, leading to his wrongful implication in the case, which has now escalated to a defamation lawsuit.
The court, while discussing the matter, mentioned that despite Payne’s monitored conditions, his access to substances might have still occurred due to addiction tendencies, a grim acknowledgment of the challenges faced by individuals dealing with substance dependencies.
Officials remarked, "It cannot be ruled out that, even if he had taken those extreme precautions… that (Payne) would have managed to obtain the substances anyway, as is common among addicts, even when they are under the loving care of their family."
Investigators determined that Payne's fall likely happened while he was either partially or fully unconscious, which perhaps explains the severity of the scene he was found in. The singer suffered from polytrauma which led to both internal and external hemorrhaging.
While negligence charges have been dismissed for some involved, the ongoing investigation into how Payne was supplied with drugs remains a crucial element of the case. The court’s closure for Nores and the two acquitted hotel staff marks a significant development, shifting focus to the remaining suspects.
This legal saga surrounding Liam Payne’s untimely and tragic death continues to unfold, keeping public and media attention fixed on how Argentine law handles the complex interplay of celebrity, substance abuse, and accountability.