Argentine justice deepens investigation into Liam Payne’s death in Buenos Aires and points to hotel negligence

The investigation into the death of Liam Payne, former member of the band One Direction, on October 16, 2025, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, continues to reveal crucial details. The 31-year-old British singer died after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo hotel, with the autopsy confirming polytrauma as the cause, resulting from multiple injuries and internal and external bleeding. Autoridades Argentine women are deepening the investigation of the circumstances, which include signs of alcohol and drug intoxication, and now point to possible flaws in the establishment’s procedures. The incident occurred around 5 pm local time, when hotel employees had already called the emergency department due to the altered behavior of a guest. Payne, who was in the Argentine capital for a concert by Niall Horan, his former bandmate, was taken to his room in a visibly altered state, but without receiving immediate medical attention on site, which raises questions about the hotel’s conduct. Authorities are seeking to determine the degree of responsibility of different parties involved in the tragic event.

The subsequent toxicological analysis identified the presence of cocaine, alcohol and antidepressants in the artist’s system, corroborating the initial reports of his condition. Exames forensic experts indicated the absence of protective reflexes during the fall, suggesting that Payne was unconscious at the moment of impact, an aggravating factor for the fatality.

In the hotel room, investigators found evidence such as a bottle of whiskey, used cans and traces of a suspicious white powder. Esses findings complement the picture of disorder and substance use that preceded the tragedy, directing the focus of the investigation to the singer’s interactions before his death and the responsibility of third parties.

Cause of death and first signs

The autopsy performed on Liam Payne’s body confirmed polytrauma as the primary cause of death, with significant injuries and internal and external hemorrhages throughout the body. Relatórios Toxicological tests complemented the analysis, indicating a complex picture of substances in the singer’s body at the time of his fall.

Initial findings pointed to a number of factors that contributed to the fatal outcome. The detailed investigation has focused on each stage of what happened, from the moment Payne arrived at the hotel until the moments before the fall, seeking to clarify all the variables.

The circumstances of the fall

Investigators were able to reconstruct the events that led to Payne’s fall, revealing that the singer passed out in the hotel lobby minutes before the fatal accident. Três establishment employees were seen dragging him to the room, apparently ignoring the risks associated with the third-floor balcony and the guest’s state of intoxication.

Judge Laura Bruniard, responsible for the case, emphasized that Payne’s state of severe intoxication considerably aggravated the situation, making him unable to protect himself. Relatos additional information indicates that the singer had consumed cocaine nasally and inhaled hours before the incident, a crucial detail to understand his erratic behavior.

Accusations and the judicial process

Five people faced initial charges in connection with the death of Liam Payne, reflecting the complexity of the investigation. Roger Nores, a friend of the singer, was accused of abandonment of a vulnerable person, while Gilda Martin, hotel manager, and Esteban Grassi, receptionist, were charged with manslaughter, due to negligence in emergency protocols.

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Ezequiel Pereyra, a former hotel employee, and Braian Paiz, a waiter, were indicted for supplying narcotics, adding a layer of depth to the investigation. Pereyra surrendered to the police in November 2025, shortly after Paiz was detained three days earlier, intensifying the search for justice.

In February 2025, a court acquitted Nores, Martin and Grassi for lack of direct evidence linking their actions to the downfall of Payne. However, Pereyra and

The mysterious bag recovered

A guest on the second floor of the CasaSur Palermo hotel made an unusual discovery on December 5, 2025, when she found a leather bag on the balcony. The item contained pills, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s brand whiskey and a handwritten note addressed to “Liam”, which raised new questions for the investigation.

Experts who analyzed the bag believe that Payne may have tried to lower it from the balcony while trying to leave the room, or that the action was linked to hallucinations caused by drug consumption. The identification of the bag as belonging to the singer added an intriguing element to the case, suggesting possible despair in his final moments.

Recent developments in the case

The trial of Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz began in June 2025, with testimonies from several witnesses linked to the hotel and Payne’s circle. Argentine and British authorities have been actively collaborating through diplomatic channels, seeking to ensure that all evidence and information is properly shared and analyzed.

Braian Paiz admitted to having used drugs with Liam Payne, but vehemently denied selling drugs in an interview given during the process. Pereyra, in turn, requested provisional release, a request that was denied by the courts due to the risk of flight, keeping him in custody while the trial progresses.

Final toxicological tests, released in January 2025, confirmed cocaine consumption up to 72 hours before the singer’s death, with recent traces of the substance in his system. The British inquiry, opened in December 2025, reiterated polytrauma as the cause of death and awaits the full details of the Argentine investigation for its conclusion. Payne’s family criticized the media coverage in March 2025, citing the emotional impact, and Geoff Payne, the singer’s father, sued Roger Nores for defamation in April, adding new legal ramifications to the tragic event.

Liam Payne’s musical trajectory

Liam Payne began his musical career in 2010, when he joined the group One Direction through the program The The band achieved resounding success, selling more than 70 million records with five albums released, and performed global tours that consolidated their fame with hits such as “What Makes You Beautiful”. The group went on hiatus in 2016, allowing Payne and the other members to pursue solo careers, marking a new chapter in their artistic lives.

Repercussion and tributes

The former members of One Direction issued a joint note in October 2025, expressing their deep mourning over the loss of their friend and bandmate. Harry Styles, in particular, described the years spent in the group as “the most cherished” of his life, while Louis Tomlinson highlighted the importance of Payne, describing him as “vital” to the group’s dynamics. Cheryl Cole, mother of his son Artistas as Paris Hilton and Rita Ora have also paid tribute online, and Payne’s family is managing the £24.3 million estate for her nine-year-old son Bear, in the absence of a formal will.