Police investigating the death of Liam Payne in Argentina could pursue two criminal charges according to local media. The 31-year-old singer died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday night.
His untimely passing sent shockwaves around the world. His devastated former One Direction bandmates have since shared their profound sadness at his loss, issuing a statement last night to say: “We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
Officers were called to CasaSur Palermo Hotel at around 5pm in the wake of the tragedy. Hours later detectives entered the hotel suite where the singer had been staying and seized several items, according to the Mirror.
A post-mortem was carried out just hours later at the Supreme Court of Justice in Buenos Aires, where his cause of death was found to be “multiple injuries and internal and external haemorrhaging as a result of the fall.”
Authorities are currently treating the case as “doubtful death” however local media reports suggest individuals could face two specific criminal charges if they are found to have been involved in the tragic events of Wednesday night.
Prosecutors have confirmed questioning five people in connection with Liam’s death, three workers at the hotel and two women believed to have been in his room in the hours before in a bid to create a “reconstruction of his last hours.”
Prosecutors said these women had “already left the hotel when the incident occurred.” Several substances were also removed from the hotel room, alongside whiskey bottles, his mobile phone, laptop, and fingerprints from the scene, with police investigating who was in the room and where the alleged drugs came from. It is not clear how drugs made their way into the hotel suite.
Police are reported to be looking into two charges – “supply of narcotics and facilitating a place for their consumption,” – as potential crimes that could have been committed.
Alleged images taken from inside the hotel suite appeared online, showing a smashed TV, white powder, tinfoil and what appeared to be candle wax.
Coroners ruled that the singer had no “defensive type” injuries and that all 25 identified injuries were as a result of the fall from the balcony, estimated to be around 14 metres from the ground. This meant “the intervention of third parties would be ruled out,” in the immediate moments surrounding the fall.
The British Embassy in Argentina has confirmed that it is in touch with local authorities in connection with Liam’s death. They said: “We are supporting the family of Liam Payne, who died in Argentina, and we are in contact with local authorities.”
If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected]
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