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One of the three suspects being investigated over Liam Payne’s death has spoken for the first time, insisting he did nothing wrong.
Argentinian waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz, who was identified as the singer’s ‘dealer’ in an ongoing prosecution probe, admitted to two hotel meetings with the former One Direction band member before his fatal fall from his hotel balcony on October 16.
He also admitted he had taken drugs with him, but never supplied the 31-year-old with narcotics or accepted any money from him.
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The 24-year-old claimed he spent the night with Liam at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires during a second meet.
Paiz revealed on Argentinian TV on Saturday that he initially met Liam when he was dining with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and two others at the Puerto Madero restaurant where he worked.
He claimed he and Liam exchanged contact details and then arranged to meet two more times.
In the interview, Paiz said his former home had been searched but claimed he was yet to be quizzed by investigators: “I never supplied Liam with drugs.”
The 24-year-old claimed he spent the night with Liam at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires during a second meet.
Credit: Telefe Noticias“Liam’s first contact with me was at my place of work,” he said.
“We swapped details and saw each other later that night. It was all normal. He came down from his hotel room to fetch me because I had got lost.
“We got together there and he showed me some of the music he was going to bring out.”
Paiz believed Liam was “already under the effects of drugs” when they first met.
Paiz believed Liam was ‘already under the effects of drugs’ when they first met.
Credit: AAP“I’ve heard people saying he was taking drugs but the truth is that when he got to the restaurant where I was working he was already under the effects of drugs and he didn’t actually eat anything,” he said.
“There was a moment when he approached me and asked me for my contact details. I gave him an Instagram and afterwards he sent me messages because he wanted to take drugs although he had already consumed narcotics.
“It was October 2. While I was in his room we had some whisky shots.”
English (US) ·