The investigation into the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October 2024, has seen significant developments in recent months. While initial charges of manslaughter against three individuals have been dropped by an Argentinian Court of Appeal, the case surrounding the alleged supply of drugs to the singer continues.
Following Payne’s death, Argentinian authorities launched a comprehensive investigation, which led to charges being filed against five individuals in connection with the incident. These charges included manslaughter for three people – Roger Nores (an Argentine businessman who was with Payne), Gilda Martin (the manager of the CasaSur Hotel), and Esteban Grassi (the hotel’s main receptionist). The prosecution argued that Nores failed in his duty of care by leaving an intoxicated Payne alone, while the hotel staff were accused of negligence in moving Payne to his room instead of ensuring his safety and seeking medical help.
However, in a significant ruling in February 2025, the Court of Appeal in Argentina overturned the manslaughter charges against these three individuals. The court sided with the defense arguments, stating that the prosecution had failed to adequately prove a direct link of unlawful, reckless, or negligent conduct that led to Payne’s death. Specifically, regarding Nores, the court determined he had no legal obligation to constantly care for Payne, especially as he was not present at the time of the fall. Similarly, the actions of the hotel staff in assisting Payne to his room, while perhaps showing a lack of optimal judgment, did not meet the threshold of criminal negligence directly causing his death.
Despite this development, the legal proceedings are ongoing for the other two individuals who were charged with supplying narcotics to Liam Payne: Ezequiel David Pereyra (a former hotel employee) and Braian Paiz (a waiter who had served Payne). These two remain in detention, facing charges that carry a potential sentence of four to fifteen years in prison under Argentinian law. The court deemed preventative detention justified given the severity of the potential sentence.
The investigation has revealed that Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant in his system at the time of his death. While the autopsy concluded his injuries were consistent with a fall and not the result of self-harm or third-party intervention, the role of the supplied narcotics in his state of mind and physical abilities leading up to the fall remains a key focus of the ongoing case against Pereyra and Paiz.
The legal proceedings against the two accused of drug supply are expected to continue, with potential trial dates yet to be announced. The outcome of this aspect of the investigation could provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding Liam Payne’s tragic death. While the manslaughter charges have been dropped, the scrutiny on the alleged drug supply network and its potential contribution to the events of that fateful night in Buenos Aires remains a significant part of the ongoing legal process.
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