Five individuals have been formally charged in Argentina following the death of Liam Payne, former One Direction member, on October 16th at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires. The charges range from manslaughter to drug supply.
According to a December 30th press release from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, three individuals—hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores—have been charged with manslaughter. Two additional individuals, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, face charges related to supplying drugs to Payne.
The prosecutor’s statement indicates that Pereyra is suspected of selling cocaine to Payne on October 15th and 16th, while Paiz allegedly sold cocaine to him twice on October 14th. Nores faces manslaughter charges for allegedly neglecting his duty of care towards Payne, knowing about his struggles with addiction, and abandoning him in a vulnerable state.
Martin, the hotel manager, is charged with manslaughter for allegedly failing to prevent Payne from being taken to his room shortly before his death. Grassi, the receptionist, faces the same charge for allegedly instructing three people to “drag” an incapacitated Payne to his room instead of ensuring his safety.
Judge Laura Bruniard has approved the prosecutions, but the defendants’ lawyers have the option to appeal. If the appeals are unsuccessful, a trial will commence. The potential sentences vary, with Martin, Grassi, and Nores facing 1-5 years in prison, while Pereyra and Paiz could face 4-15 years.
These charges follow an earlier November 7th press release from the same office, which announced the arrest and charging of three suspects with abandonment of a person followed by death and drug-related offenses. At that time, the identities of the suspects were not disclosed. The initial release stated that Payne was either unconscious or in a significantly diminished state of consciousness at the time of his fall from the hotel balcony. It also ruled out self-harm or third-party physical intervention as contributing factors to his death.
Toxicology reports revealed that Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system in the period leading up to his death.
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Liam Payne pictured in London in January 2018 during a visit to KISS FM with singer Rita Ora.
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A portrait of singer Liam Payne taken in London in January 2018, showcasing his public image during his solo career after One Direction.
