Liam Payne and a waiter allegedly had conversations that show how the restaurant staff member sold cocaine to the pop star twice before his fatal balcony fall.
Five men are now reported to have been charged in connection with the tragic singer’s death. Following Liam’s death an autopsy later revealed he succumbed to multiple injuries from the fall, which caused “internal and external haemorrhaging”. Ongoing investigations into the incident have led to several arrests, reports the Mirror.
According to local reports, five people face charges, with two of the men currently in custody. Among those charged is Liam’s friend, Rogelio’ Roger’ Nores, who has reportedly been accused of negligent homicide and is barred from leaving Argentina.
The businessman, who vehemently denies abandoning the singer before he died, claims he left Liam at the hotel at least 40 minutes before he fell to his death. Hotel manager Gilda Martin and chief receptionist Esteban Grassi have been charged with manslaughter.
Meanwhile, hotel employees Braian Paiz and Ezequiel Pereyra have been accused of supplying drugs to Liam. Paiz, 24, and Pereyra, 21, have been formally charged with selling drugs to Liam on two occasions. They have been denied bail and could face a maximum 15-year prison sentence if convicted.
Argentine news outlet Infobae reported that Judge Laura Bruniard charged all three men with manslaughter but avoided pre-trial detention for Nores, Martin, and Grassi in exchange for a travel ban, plus a £38,000 embargo on their assets.
Liam Payne’s hotel room on day of this death.
(Image: Buenos Aires Police)
Messages and conversations recorded by security cameras between Liam and Paiz reportedly influenced her decision to accuse him and Pereyra of twice selling the late One Direction star cocaine, just two days before his death.
The waiter’s lawyer acknowledged his client’s own drug use but denied allegations of selling drugs. Defending his client, attorney Fernando Madeo argued: “Braian made a very extensive statement and gave all the facts. Among them, he stated that he met Liam on two occasions. Among several issues, which they did in a private environment, they also consumed narcotics, but it is not true that he sold him drugs.”
In an interview with Argentinian outlet Todo Noticias, Madeo added: “Braian is a frequent drug user. A while back, he used to use more. He had drugs in his house for personal use.
“He met Liam, and they both used. It’s not that one brought drugs to the other; they shared what they had. They had wide-ranging conversations, and it wasn’t just about drugs – they were two people who happened to meet. In fact, Liam was the one who sought out my client.”
Cops launched an investigation into Liam’s death, though Nores had previously denied being a suspect. On the day the singer died, an emergency call reported that he was behaving aggressively and could be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
(Image: FILE)
Grassi stated Liam had repeatedly called the front desk requesting alcohol and also asking where he could obtain cocaine. When staff refused to assist, the singer is alleged to have insulted one of them.
Additionally, text messages purportedly exchanged between Liam and a local sex worker suggested that he offered her $5,000 (£3,900) to “party.”
It has also been reported that a psychiatrist had emailed Nores, warning that it was “impossible” to continue supporting the One Direction star with his mental health.
The message reportedly highlighted the dangers involved in mixing antidepressants with alcohol.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter .