Five people are now facing charges in Argentina following the tragic death of Liam Payne at a Buenos Aires hotel in October.
On Monday, December 30, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office announced that the hotel’s manager, receptionist, and one of Payne’s friends have been charged with manslaughter. According to the BBC, the three individuals are Gilda Martin, Esteban Grassi, and Roger Nores.
Payne, known for his time with One Direction, died at 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur hotel on October 16.
The prosecutor’s office said two hotel employees, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, have been charged with supplying drugs to Payne in the days leading up to his death. Pereyra allegedly sold him cocaine on October 15 and 16, while Paiz is accused of supplying him twice on October 14.
Roger Nores, Payne’s friend, is being charged for not helping Payne, despite knowing he struggled with addiction. The hotel’s manager, Gilda Martin, is accused of failing to stop Payne from being brought back to his room before the incident. The receptionist, Esteban Grassi, is facing charges for allegedly instructing others to carry Payne to his room when he couldn’t stand, rather than ensuring his safety.
The judge handling the case, Laura Bruniard, has decided to move forward with the prosecutions. Defense lawyers may appeal, but if those appeals are denied, the case will proceed to trial.
If convicted, Nores, Martin, and Grassi could each face one to five years in prison, while Pereyra and Paiz face stiffer penalties of four to fifteen years.
Back in November, authorities had already announced the arrest of three suspects linked to Payne’s death. At the time, the individuals were charged with abandonment leading to death and drug-related offenses, though their identities were not released.
According to that earlier statement, Payne was not fully conscious when he fell from the balcony. Investigators discovered that after the incident, three people had engaged in illegal activity that contributed to his death.
One of those individuals was someone who had been with Payne regularly during his visit to Buenos Aires. Another was accused of providing the drugs, while the third was believed to be the supplier.
As the legal process continues, Payne’s death remains a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold.