The investigation into the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne has taken a new turn with the emergence of testimony from an Argentinian waiter, Braian Paiz, who claims to have spent time with the singer just days before his fatal fall from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony. Payne, 31, died on October 16 after plunging from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, leaving fans and authorities searching for answers.
Paiz, 24, told TMZ in upcoming documentary "TMZ Investigates: Liam Payne: Who's to Blame?" (airing Monday night on FOX) that he and Payne consumed cocaine and whiskey together during two nights of partying leading up to the star's death. However, the waiter strongly denied allegations that he supplied drugs to the singer. "They say I'm the dealer, that I carried drugs, that I sold them," Paiz said. "The truth is that no, I didn't sell them."
According to Paiz, he and Payne met at the restaurant where Paiz worked and bonded over their mutual love of art and drawing. The connection led to several nights of interaction, during which Paiz claimed to have seen drugs scattered throughout Payne's hotel room. Photographs taken after Payne's death reportedly show items such as a Dove soap box and tin foil among the scattered substances. Despite this, Paiz insisted that he never accepted payment or gifts from Payne, aside from a sketch the singer drew of his face. "I didn't accept anything, just a drawing that he drew, which was part of my eyes, nose, and mouth," Paiz said.
The waiter further disclosed that Payne used an anonymous Instagram account to communicate with him and even shared unreleased music during their encounters. Paiz also claimed that the singer had offered him a Rolex watch, which he declined.
Argentinian authorities have named Paiz as one of three individuals under investigation in connection with Payne's death. Charges under consideration include "abandonment of a person followed by death" and "supply and facilitation of narcotics," according to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office No. 14.
The second individual identified in the investigation is an employee of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, who is alleged to have sold cocaine to Payne. A third suspect, described as a "drug supplier," is accused of providing the singer with substances on two occasions, including October 14-two days before his death. Authorities are actively seeking all three for questioning.
The revelations come as questions persist about Payne's mental health and the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing. Sources close to the investigation revealed that Payne appeared "troubled" during his stay and was often accompanied by one of the accused individuals, who was reportedly with him "on a daily basis."
The documentary also highlights claims that Payne had isolated himself from others in the days leading up to his death, focusing instead on conversations with new acquaintances like Paiz. This aspect of the case has fueled speculation about the singer's state of mind during his final hours.
