Liam Payne death investigation: former hotel employee arrested for alleged drug involvement

2 days ago 8

A former employee of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires has been arrested for allegedly supplying drugs to Liam Payne before the singer's untimely death on October 16. Braian Nahuel Paiz, a waiter at the hotel's restaurant, was taken into custody near his home on Friday, facing charges that could result in a four- to 15-year prison sentence, according to his lawyer, Fernando Madeo Facente.

Liam Payne posted a video on Snapchat before his death

This arrest is part of a broader investigation involving five individuals connected to Payne's passing. Authorities accuse Paiz of providing narcotics to Payne, though he denies wrongdoing. He claims they consumed substances together but insists he didn't directly supply the singer with drugs.

Hotel employee details final encounters with Liam Payne

In interviews with Argentine media, Paiz recounted spending time with Payne on multiple occasions in the days before his death. He alleged that Payne requested his drug dealer's contact information during one meeting and claimed they consumed substances together on another night.

Photos of Payne's trashed hotel room, released by investigators, revealed a scene of chaos, including drug paraphernalia and a smashed television. A toxicology report confirmed the presence of multiple substances in Payne's system, including "pink cocaine," a dangerous mix of ecstasy and ketamine.

Despite these findings, prosecutors determined that Payne's fatal injuries were caused by a fall, ruling out suicide as a motive due to his conscious state at the time.

Additional arrests and charges

Paiz is not the only one facing legal scrutiny. Ezequiel Pereyra, another hotel worker, is also accused of drug-related offenses, while CasaSur Palermo's operations manager, a receptionist, and a close friend of Payne face manslaughter charges. The receptionist reportedly made a desperate 911 call out of fear for Payne's life shortly before the tragedy.

A legacy marred by addiction struggles

The singer, who rose to fame with One Direction, battled substance abuse for years. Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, was with him in Argentina earlier but left shortly before his death, leaving Payne to reportedly spiral into erratic behavior.

Liam Payne was laid to rest in England on November 20, leaving fans and loved ones grappling with the devastating loss of a talent gone too soon.

Read Entire Article