Five people have been charged in connection with the death of the former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, in Argentina, according to local authorities. Payne died on October 16 after reportedly falling from the third-floor balcony of his room at the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires.
Argentina’s public prosecutor said on Monday that three hotel employees have been charged with manslaughter, and two others with supplying drugs.
The three charged with manslaughter are Payne’s friend, Roger Nores; the manager of the hotel where he was staying, Gilda Martín; and hotel receptionist, Esteban Grassi.
The two involved in supplying Payne with drugs are being identified only by their initials in the proceedings. Toxicology tests following Payne’s death revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system.
According to a statement released by the prosecutor’s office, Judge Laura Bruniard has decided to proceed to the next stage on Friday, after the defendant’s appeal against the decision was rejected.
Court documents, cited by the BBC, listed the following charges against the five suspects (referred to only by their initials in the documents):
– “Employee EDP is suspected of having sold Liam Payne cocaine on October 15 and 16.”
– “BNP is also suspected of having sold cocaine to Liam Payne twice on October 14.”
– “Friend RLN is suspected of manslaughter for allegedly “failing to fulfill his duties of care, assistance, and help” towards the singer after having “abandoned him to his luck knowing that he was incapable of fending for himself and knowing that he [Payne] suffered from multiple addictions.”
– “GAM is suspected of manslaughter for allegedly failing to stop Payne from being taken to his hotel room moments before his death. According to the court papers, given Payne’s state, the room’s balcony posed a “serious threat,” and the manager should have ensured Payne was kept in a safe place until medical help arrived.”
– “Receptionist ERG is also suspected of manslaughter for allegedly asking three people to “drag” Payne, who could not stand up, to his room, instead of keeping him safe.”
According to Bruniard, the hotel manager, the receptionist, and Liam Payne’s friend “had planned or wanted the death of Payne,” and their acts had put his life at “risk.”
If found guilty, the three could receive prison terms ranging from one to five years.