Who are the five people charged in connection with Liam Payne's death?

The tragic passing of former One Direction star Liam Payne earlier this year left the world in shock, with millions of fans grieving the sudden loss and searching for answers about the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

Payne , aged 31, tragically fell to his death from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024.

In a major breakthrough on Monday, Argentine authorities formally charged five individuals, including Payne’s close associate and hotel staff, in connection with the incident, which was earlier suspected to be a suicide. However, an extensive investigation has ruled out that possibility, reports Daily Mail.

But who are these five individuals? What charges have they been hit with? Here’s a detailed look.

Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores

Nores, described as Payne’s friend and representative during his stay in Argentina, is among those charged in the case.

He has been accused of “abandoning [Payne] to his fate, knowing that he was incapable of caring for himself” and “having full knowledge of the state of intoxication, vulnerability and helplessness in which he found himself”.

More from Explainers

How ChatGPT is becoming everyone’s BFF and why that’s dangerous This Week in Explainers: How recovering from Gen-Z protests is a Himalayan task for Nepal

Nores, “had assumed a position of guarantor in front of the family of the deceased, allegedly left Payne alone at the CasaSur Palermo hotel approximately an hour before the singer’s fatal fall.

According to multiple reports, Payne had been battling substance abuse issues for years. As per a psychiatrist’s email, Nores had been advised to continue to support the singer, given his mental health struggles and had been warned that the dangerous combination of antidepressants and alcohol, was no longer viable for Payne.

Despite this, those in Payne’s circle, including Nores, are said to have engaged in behaviours that likely contributed to the pop star’s tragic demise. Nores, who initially denied any suspicions, now faces charges of negligent homicide.

Editor’s Picks

1

What is pink cocaine, the party drug found in Liam Payne’s system at time of death? 2

Argentina city stunned by unprecedented wave of narco-violence

Gilda Martín and Esteban Grassi

Gilda Martín, the manager of the hotel, and Esteban Grassi, the head of reception, have been charged with manslaughter after being implicated in the tragic event.

According to the charges, Martín was present in the hotel lobby and observed Payne “unable to stand due to the consumption of various substances.” Despite this, she allowed him to be taken to his room, which prosecutors argue was unsafe due to the balcony being a “source of risk.”

Grassi, meanwhile, is accused of leading a group of three people who reportedly “dragged” Payne to his room shortly before his fatal fall. Prosecutors allege that both Martín and Grassi failed to ensure Payne was kept “safe in an area without sources of danger, in company, and until medical care was provided.”

Moments before the fall, Grassi made a 911 call, claiming Payne had been acting aggressively and was asking for alcohol and cocaine. Tests later confirmed Payne had alcohol, cocaine, and traces of an antidepressant in his system, with his condition described as “semi or total unconsciousness.”

Also read: What is pink cocaine, the party drug found in Liam Payne’s system at time of death?

Judge Laura Bruniard, presiding over the National Criminal and Correctional Court No. 34, criticised their actions, and was quoted by The Guardian as saying, “Bringing Payne up to room 310 in that state, where he was staying, was creating a legally unacceptable risk to his life.”

Forensic experts concluded that the singer fell onto the hotel restaurant’s patio “without any sign of defence”, causing numerous injuries to his body, particularly his head, after directly hitting the concrete support of an umbrella.

If convicted, the three face potential prison sentences ranging from one to five years.

Braian Paiz

Braian Paiz, a hotel waiter, has been accused of supplying drugs to Liam Payne in exchange for money, a charge he vehemently denies.

Paiz is accused of delivering cocaine to Payne twice on 14 October. According to The Guardian report, he even checked into Payne’s hotel room between 3.25 am and 8.15 am, to facilitate the delivery.

Fernando Madeo Facente, Paiz’s lawyer, told the BBC that his client was a “lifelong One Direction fan” who first encountered Payne when the singer dined at the restaurant where he worked.

The lawyer explained that Paiz and Payne spent time together in private, during which “they talked and did a lot of things.” He added, “And one of those things they did was to consume drugs.”

However, Facente dismissed the claims that Paiz had received payment for supplying drugs, calling the allegations “completely false” and lacking evidence.

Ezequiel Pereyra

Another employee at the hotel, Ezequiel Pereyra, has been charged with drug-related offences. He allegedly delivered cocaine to Payne concealed in a Dove soap box.

Pereyra is accused of supplying cocaine to Payne on 15 and 16 October for a fee. On one occasion, he reportedly received $100 from the singer. On another, Payne allegedly sent a car to Pereyra’s home to collect more drugs.

If found guilty, Paiz and Pereyra could face sentences ranging from four to 15 years in prison.

Payne, who hailed from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, shot to fame in 2010 as a contestant on The X Factor. He was selected to join One Direction, which went on to become one of the world’s bestselling boybands.

After One Direction announced its hiatus in 2016, Payne embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album, LP1, in December 2019. His untimely death was mourned by millions and left his fans heartbroken.

With input from agencies