Argentinian waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz, who is under investigation in connection with Liam Payne's tragic death, has spoken publicly for the first time, denying allegations that he supplied drugs to the former One Direction singer. Paiz, 24, acknowledged meeting Payne twice in Buenos Aires in early October before the singer's death on October 16, but insisted their interactions did not involve drug transactions.
"We took drugs together, but I never took drugs to him or accepted any money," Paiz told local outlet Telefe Noticias. He described meeting Payne at his restaurant, exchanging contact information through a "secret" Instagram account, and subsequently meeting him at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. During their first encounter on October 2, Paiz said they consumed alcohol and drugs together, but he maintained that Payne was already under the influence when they met.
According to Paiz, Payne showed him unreleased music during their meetings, a detail that has sparked renewed interest among fans. "We got together there, and he showed me some of the music he was going to bring out," Paiz claimed, noting that the singer appeared excited about new projects.
Their second meeting occurred on October 13, just days before Payne's death. Paiz described the singer as "really sweet" and "not aggressive at all." The two allegedly spent the night together consuming drugs, but Paiz emphasized that he never acted as Payne's supplier. "He wanted to give me some clothes as a memory, but I didn't take them," Paiz recalled.
The investigation into Payne's death, which has shocked fans and the music industry, has been marred by rumors and speculation. Local authorities have identified Paiz and two others, including a close friend of Payne, as persons of interest. However, Paiz has not been formally charged and maintains that he has no connection with the other individuals under investigation.
Payne's sudden death, caused by "multiple trauma" and "internal and external hemorrhage" after falling from the third floor of his hotel, has been classified as an accident. Prosecutors ruled out self-harm and confirmed that no evidence of third-party involvement has been found. Payne's body was recently flown back to the UK, where his father accompanied the transfer to Wolverhampton for a private funeral.
Paiz claimed his life has been upended by the investigation, resulting in the loss of his job and public scrutiny. "I have messages where he's offering me money because he was apparently used to offering money for everything, but I never accepted anything," he stated, further denying any commercial relationship with the late singer.
The case has attracted international attention due to Payne's fame and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. Speculation about the singer's last days intensified after news surfaced that he was working on a posthumous track titled Do No Wrong, a duet with musician Sam Pounds. The song's release has been postponed indefinitely, with Pounds stating that the timing is not right and pledging to let Payne's family decide its future.
Paiz expressed sadness over the singer's passing but insisted on his innocence. "I've heard people saying he was taking drugs, but the truth is that when he got to the restaurant where I was working, he was already under the effects of drugs," he said.
