Authorities in Argentina have charged five people in connection with the death of One Direction singer Liam Payne. The 31-year-old star died on 16 October last year after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Gilda Martin, the hotel’s manager and its receptionist, Esteban Grassi, alongside Payne’s friend Roger Nores have been charged with manslaughter. Ezequiel Pereyra who also worked at the hotel and Braian Paiz, a waiter, have been charged with supplying drugs.
The prosecutor’s office in Argentina is gathering evidence which will be presented to a judge who will decide whether to proceed to trial. Judge Laura Bruniard has already taken the decision to proceed to the next stage. The defendants’ lawyers can appeal against the decision. If unsuccessful, the trial phase will begin.
In court documents, Judge Bruniard has listed the charges against the five suspects, referring to them by their initials, as is customary at this stage of the proceedings. EDP, a hotel employee, is suspected of selling cocaine to Payne on 15 and 16 October. Waiter BNP is also suspected of selling cocaine to the singer on two occasions. Payne’s friend RLN is suspected of manslaughter for allegedly abandoning the singer knowing he was incapable of fending for himself due to his addictions. The hotel manager and chief receptionist are also accused of manslaughter.
Judge Bruniard stated that she does not believe that Payne’s friend, hotel manager, and chief receptionist “had planned or wanted the death of Payne” but their actions had created a “risk” to his life. If found guilty, they could face sentences of between one and five years in prison.
In November, the prosecutor’s office reported that toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in Payne’s body. His cause of death was determined to be “multiple trauma” and “internal and external haemorrhage” resulting from the fall. Medical reports suggested Payne may have been semi or totally unconscious during the fall. Police found substances in Payne’s hotel room alongside objects and furniture that had been damaged.
Payne was one of the most recognisable names in pop after appearing on The X Factor. He rose to fame with the boyband One Direction in the 2010s before the band went on an indefinite hiatus in January 2016. Payne’s funeral took place last month in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, attended by his former bandmates alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and former partner Cheryl, with whom he shares a son
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