Liam Payne's death probe in fresh twist as judge decides more hotel staff in the frame

• Showbiz
• Harry Styles

Two workers at the Buenos Aires hotel where Liam Payne died have been told they are now under formal investigation taking the number of suspects in the probe to five

Investigations continue into Liam Payne's death(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The ongoing investigation into the tragic death of Liam Payne in Argentina has now reportedly expanded to include five suspects.

Two more employees from the Buenos Aires hotel where the One Direction star fell to his death are now being probed.

One of the newly implicated individuals worked in the reception area of the hotel and allegedly made a 999 call for urgent medical help for Liam before his fatal fall from his third-floor balcony. This individual was also among three men seen carrying Liam to his room shortly before the incident.

This disturbing image has raised questions about the conduct of the staff at CasaSur Palermo Hotel and their decision not to keep the singer in the lobby while waiting for medical assistance.

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Liam's death stunned showbiz world(Image: Getty Images for The ATC)

Argentinian news website Infobae also identified another hotel employee. The site reported that investigating judge Laura Bruniard has instructed the two men to appoint a defence lawyer so she can formally question them under oath.

Their initial interview, which is expected to be conducted via Zoom, is reportedly scheduled for next week between December 17 and 19. While public prosecutors have yet to make an official statement, they are anticipated to do so in the near future, reports the Mirror.

Infobae did not speculate on the possible charges the hotel staff might face if the judge decides there's enough evidence to proceed with formal accusations in her investigation. Reports surfacing last week hinted that the prosecutors were mulling manslaughter charges against the employees filmed carrying Liam before he took a tragic intoxicated tumble from a balcony.

Mystery still shrouds the third individual seen helping lift the singer, who donned trainers, shorts, and a T-shirt. Fresh updates about additional suspects broke today, while the trio previously hauled in for questioning were called in again.

Photograph thought to be last of Liam Payne at the the Casa Sur Hotel (Image: America TV)

One member of staff has spoken up claiming his innocence. In a statement, decrying the rumours pointing to him as one of the suspects linked to drug claims and accusations of ditching Liam prior to his unfortunate death, the man said: "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," he maintained.

On November 7, lawyers said three men are officially on the hook for potentially deserting someone who then passed away and for handling and dishing out illegal substances.

Hotel where Liam spent his last days(Image: Getty Images)

Post-mortem said the vocalist had been drinking alcohol and class A drugs and remnants of an antidepressant was floating in his bloodstream.

Prosecutors have dismissed any speculation that Liam tragically took his own life, explaining he was in a state of "semi or total unconsciousness" as he plummeted from his hotel balcony and "didn't know what he was doing."

The two female escorts who were with Liam before his untimely death are currently in the clear as witnesses.