Eleven months after Liam Payne’s death on October 16, 2024, investigations into the former One Direction member’s fatal fall from the third floor of CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires continue. The 31-year-old British singer succumbed to polytrauma, with multiple traumatic injuries and internal and external hemorrhages, as confirmed by the autopsy. Argentine authorities classify the case as a suspicious death, citing alcohol and drug consumption as key factors.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. local time, when hotel staff reported an aggressive guest under the influence. Payne, in the city to attend a Niall Horan concert, was returned to his room in an altered state without immediate medical care.
- Toxicology report: Detected cocaine, alcohol, and antidepressants in his system.
- Hotel room: Broken items, a whiskey bottle, and suspected cocaine powder found.
- Mysterious bag: Discovered on the second floor with pills and a note for Payne.
Details of the fall
Judge Laura Bruniard noted hotel negligence, as staff failed to provide medical assistance. Employees dragged Payne to his room despite his impaired condition.
Reports confirm he used cocaine nasally and via inhalation hours prior. The lack of defensive reflexes suggests unconsciousness during the fall.
Charges and acquittals
Five individuals faced initial charges. Roger Nores, Payne’s friend, was accused of abandonment. Hotel manager Gilda Martin and receptionist Esteban Grassi faced manslaughter charges for negligence.
Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, charged with supplying cocaine, remain in custody, with their trial starting in June 2025. Nores, Martin, and Grassi were acquitted in February due to insufficient evidence.
Prosecutors appealed the acquittals, but the request was denied in March 2025. Pereyra and Paiz face up to 15 years in prison. Both deny drug trafficking. Hotel witnesses support claims of inadequate response protocols.
Evidence from the balcony
On December 5, 2024, a leather bag was found on the second-floor balcony, containing pills, a Jack Daniel’s bottle, and a note addressed to “Liam.” Experts suggest Payne lowered it while attempting to flee, possibly hallucinating.
The bag, confirmed as his, did not alter the cause of death but hints at disorientation. No third parties were present on the balcony at the time.
Payne’s career highlights
Payne rose to fame in 2010 with One Direction, formed on The X Factor alongside Harry Styles and others. The band sold 70 million records across five albums.
- Formation: Selected for One Direction in 2010.
- Global success: Hits like “What Makes You Beautiful” topped charts.
- Solo career: Released “Strip That Down” and LP1 in 2019.
He canceled a 2023 Brazil show due to a kidney infection. Payne openly discussed struggles with addiction and mental health, claiming 100 days of sobriety in 2024.
Tributes and reactions
Former bandmates issued a joint statement in October 2024, mourning their loss. Harry Styles called their time together “cherished.” Cheryl Cole, mother of Payne’s son Bear, requested media privacy.
Fans held vigils in Buenos Aires and London. Artists like Paris Hilton posted tributes online. Payne’s 24.3 million-pound estate will support Bear, aged nine, managed by Cole and a lawyer.
Ongoing investigation
A UK inquest, opened in December 2024, confirmed polytrauma. Argentine-UK cooperation focuses on toxicology, revealing cocaine use days prior.
Paiz admitted sharing drugs but denied selling. Geoff Payne, Liam’s father, sued Nores for defamation in April 2025.