The tragic death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, has led to an intense investigation, with prosecutors in Argentina now focusing on a hotel employee who allegedly supplied the artist with drugs prior to his fatal fall. Authorities believe that the employee at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires may have procured a dangerous substance known as "cristal" for Payne, who died after falling from the balcony of his hotel room.
According to sources close to the investigation, prosecutors have gathered evidence suggesting that the employee was involved in sourcing the drugs that were found in Payne's hotel room. "There appears to be evidence that a hotel employee sourced the drugs for Payne," an insider with Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office told People. "An indictment for drug distribution could follow shortly."
Payne, 31, was found dead after allegedly jumping from the balcony of his third-floor room at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. The Buenos Aires police reported that Payne was under the influence of a powerful drug called "cristal," which can cause hallucinations and psychotic episodes, as well as violent behavior. Authorities believe that the singer "jumped from the balcony" during an episode of erratic behavior induced by the drug.
The investigation has revealed a chaotic scene in Payne's hotel room, with items such as clonazepam, whiskey, aluminum foil, and a lighter found among the scattered trash. Photos released by Buenos Aires police show traces of an unidentified white powder, believed to be the drug that Payne consumed prior to his death. However, toxicology results are still pending.
Payne's last moments were marked by a harrowing 911 call from the hotel manager, who described the singer as being "high and drunk" and causing destruction in his room. The manager also expressed concern that Payne might be endangering his own life, given that the room had a balcony. Despite these concerns, the manager opted not to involve police, instead asking for SAME, Argentina's emergency medical service, to respond.
Six people who had seen Payne in the hours leading up to his death have been interviewed by authorities, including Payne's manager, three hotel employees, and two women believed to be escorts. The escorts reportedly spent several hours with Payne, drinking alcohol but allegedly not consuming any drugs. They told police that they left the room about an hour before Payne's death, claiming that the singer seemed "normal" at the time.
Prosecutors have characterized Payne's death as "suspicious" and have indicated that they are keeping all investigative options open. While foul play is not currently suspected, officials are particularly interested in identifying the individuals who supplied Payne with the drugs found in his suite. The autopsy revealed that Payne died from multiple traumas, including internal and external bleeding, as a result of his fatal fall.
Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, had been traveling with him in Argentina for about two weeks but returned to the United States shortly before his death. Payne, who had previously been open about his struggles with substance abuse, had told fans in a YouTube video in July 2023 that he was nearly six months sober after spending 100 days in a rehab facility. However, reports indicate that he checked into a rehab center again in July 2024 but left after only a few days.
The incident has sparked widespread speculation and criticism regarding the role of the hotel staff in Payne's death. Local media outlet La Nación reported that the manager's decision not to involve law enforcement, despite being aware of Payne's erratic behavior, is being scrutinized as part of the ongoing investigation. Prosecutor Marcelo Roma has confirmed that authorities are looking into whether the hotel employee could face charges related to drug distribution.
The investigation also raises questions about the culture of substance abuse in the entertainment industry, with Payne's death serving as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by celebrities struggling with addiction. Payne, who rose to fame as a member of the popular boy band One Direction, had been vocal about the pressures of fame and the difficulties of staying sober in the public eye.
