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Liam Payne tragically died at the age of 31 in October (Image: Getty Images North America)
Argentinian prosecutors are gearing up to challenge a judge's decision to recuse herself from the investigation into Liam Payne's death.
The One Direction star's untimely death is still under scrutiny following his fall from the third floor of his hotel suite in Buenos Aires on October 16, at the age of 31.
In the wake of the incident, three individuals were taken into custody, but an "impasse" has reportedly hindered their interrogation—a situation prosecutors are eager to resolve.
Public prosecutor Andres Madrea is set to argue that Judge Laura Bruniard should persist with her inquiries into the suspects, despite claims that Liam was left alone before his fatal fall from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel balcony after allegedly consuming alcohol and drugs, reports the Mirror.
Last month, TMZ disclosed that the judge had determined local rather than national prosecutors should handle the case under Argentinian law, due to the abandonment allegation, which has yet to result in any formal accusations.
He travelled to Buenos Aires with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy (Image: PA)
Local media are reporting the appeal will take place on Monday (December 2) as Mr Madrea seeks to "unlock the impasse" which is thought to be slowing down the ongoing crimal investigation.
It remains uncertain when a verdict on who will maintain jurisdiction over the investigation will be delivered. A decision to expand the probe to include additional suspects is not anticipated until the appeal's outcome is clear.
Last month, the Daily Mail published shocking images that depicted staff members at Liam's Buenos Aires hotel aiding his return to his room shortly before his tragic fall.
This sparked serious concerns over the hotel employees’ decision-making and failure to closely monitor the musician in the establishment's lobby while awaiting medical assistance.
On Saturday (November 30), the Argentinian news outlet Infobae conveyed the latest developments regarding Liam’s vanishing £30,000 Rolex watch.
The musician's £30,000 Rolex is still missing (Image: Instagram)
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It is understood the timepiece went missing when one of the two escorts he is believed to have spent time with before his death returned to his suite claiming to retrieve makeup left behind after a dispute about her payment
The pair, currently considered as witnesses, have engaged legal representation, an action that they were not compelled to take. Prior to his passing, Liam is thought to have proposed $5,000 to the women; however, following intervention by Liam’s good friend Roger Nores, they allegedly received significantly less.
According to Infobae, during interrogation, the escorts suggested that the "gentleman" Liam had "promised them" his now-absent Rolex. They have since surrendered their mobile devices willingly, however it is believed officials haven't collected the information contained within yet.
Despite exhaustive searches conducted last month at numerous locations, including an apartment frequented by one escort for client meetings, the whereabouts of the elusive Rolex remain undiscovered.
Three people have been arrested in connection to his death (Image: FilmMagic)
The trio, placed under investigation last month without formal charges, include Liam’s close confidant Rogelio 'Roger' Nores, ex-hotel employee Ezequiel David Pereyra, and 24-year-old server Braian Nahuel Paiz.
Braian Paiz, during an appearance on Argentinian TV three weeks ago, admitted to using drugs with Liam but stressed: "I never took drugs to him or accepted any money."
Nores, earlier implicated by local reports, countered the allegations of deserting Liam prior to his demise, stating: "I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.
"There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen.
"I've given my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven't spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since. I wasn't Liam's manager. He was just my very dear friend." Ezequiel David Pereyra is yet tp make a public comment.
Prosecutors said in a lengthy statement released on November 7 three men they did not identify by name were no wbeing formally investigated on suspicion of abandoning a person who subsequently died and supplying and facilitating drugs.
The statement described one of the individuals who "routinely accompanied Liam during his stay in Buenos Aires." Tests have since revealed that the singer indulged in a binge of alcohol and cocaine before his demise, with traces of an antidepressant also present in his system.
Authorities have dismissed the notion that Liam committed suicide, stating he was in a state of "semi or total unconsciousness" when he fell from his hotel balcony, unaware of his actions.
The statement further details the involvement of a hotel worker and an alleged "drug dealer," noting: "The second suspect is a hotel employee who must respond for two proven supplies of cocaine to Liam Payne during the time he was in the hotel.
"The third is also a drug dealer who is being investigated on suspicion of another two clearly proven supplies of cocaine at two different times on October 14."
Since their announcement on November 7, prosecutors have not commented officially or referred to the appeal hearing expected later today, but sources close to the investigation assert that the probe is actively ongoing.
English (US) ·