Argentine authorities have ramped up their investigation into the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, conducting another round of raids at the Buenos Aires hotel where he died last month. Police searched the CasaSur Palermo hotel, where Payne suffered a fatal fall from a third-floor balcony on October 16, as well as the residences and lockers of two hotel employees and a "friend" identified through Payne's cell phone records.
The renewed focus by Buenos Aires law enforcement follows initial raids on the hotel in late October, which aimed to gather electronic records, surveillance footage, and documentation that might shed light on the circumstances surrounding Payne's death. During Tuesday's raids, officers were seen leaving the hotel carrying boxes and loose items, loading them into a police vehicle parked outside, according to eyewitnesses and local media reports.
Payne's death, described as resulting from "multiple traumas," has spurred a broader inquiry that seeks to establish not just the events leading to his fatal fall but also any potential criminal links. Initial autopsy reports revealed the presence of "pink cocaine"-a potent mix of meth, ecstasy, and ketamine-in Payne's system. Photos from the scene allegedly displayed white powder and drug paraphernalia scattered across a table in Payne's room. The investigation has since extended to determine who might have supplied the narcotics, but no arrests or formal charges have been announced so far.
Prosecutor Andrés Madrea, who is overseeing the case, has maintained strict confidentiality regarding the details of the ongoing inquiry. However, sources close to the investigation have confirmed that police are focusing on uncovering whether any hotel staff or associates of Payne were involved in providing or facilitating access to drugs.
The CasaSur Palermo hotel has come under intense scrutiny since Payne's death, with security footage reportedly indicating that Payne may have fainted prior to his fatal fall, lending credibility to preliminary autopsy findings suggesting he was in a state of semi-consciousness. According to Buenos Aires-based journalist Paula Verela, "Payne did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself during the fall," reinforcing the theory that he may have been incapacitated.
In the wake of these findings, local authorities are exploring multiple avenues, including whether there were any lapses in hotel security and whether staff had inappropriate contact with Payne leading up to the incident. The hotel's records, including staff schedules and visitor logs, have been examined to establish a clearer timeline of the events.
The renewed raids have drawn international attention, not only due to Payne's fame but also due to the complex issues surrounding drug access and safety protocols in upscale hotels. The CasaSur Palermo hotel has not publicly commented on the raids or ongoing investigation.
Argentine law enforcement continues to coordinate efforts to identify and locate Payne's unnamed "friend," reportedly involved in selling or providing narcotics. Authorities are also working to trace how drugs found their way into Payne's room and whether a broader network may be at play.
