Liam Payne's death: Argentine authorities charge three men in connection to his fatal fall

In a significant development in the investigation of former One Direction star Liam Payne's death, Argentine prosecutors have charged three individuals linked to the events surrounding his fatal fall from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony on October 16.

According to a statement from Argentina's public prosecutor's office, the charges involve abandonment leading to death and the illicit supply of narcotics.

Inside the investigation of Liam Payne's tragic death

The prosecutor's office detailed that an individual close to Payne throughout his time in Buenos Aires has been charged with abandoning a person following death.

This person, identified as an Argentine businessman and friend, allegedly posed as Payne's manager but failed to inform the singer's family of recent struggles with substance abuse.

On the day of Payne's death, the businessman reportedly did not respond to police calls for assistance.

Two other individuals are accused of supplying narcotics to the singer.

One, a hotel maintenance worker, allegedly provided Payne with cocaine twice during his stay.

The second individual reportedly supplied drugs to Payne two times on October 14.

Both face charges related to the facilitation of narcotics, according to the prosecutor, Andres Madrea.

Liam Payne's body already released to his father

Following Payne's death, toxicology tests revealed traces of cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant in his system, although officials clarified that there was no evidence of a substance known as "pink cocaine," a recreational drug previously reported by some media outlets to have been involved.

Autopsy findings cited by the prosecutor indicate that Payne died due to "multiple trauma" and "internal and external hemorrhage" consistent with the height of the third-floor fall.

Investigators noted that Payne did not appear to have taken any reflexive action to protect himself as he fell, suggesting he may have been in a state of partial or complete unconsciousness.

The singer's body was released to his father, Geoff Payne, who traveled to Buenos Aires immediately following the incident.

Geoff Payne, who has cooperated with local authorities, is expected to bring his son's body back to the U.K., where memorial services are being arranged.

Liam Payne rose to fame as a member of the globally successful boy band One Direction, whose popularity catapulted him to international stardom.

The investigation into his tragic passing remains ongoing, with Argentine authorities committed to uncovering the full story behind his untimely death.