A horrified tourist who witnessed Liam Payne plunge to his death said the incident “burned into his brain” in a brand-new documentary branded “Invasive” by fans.
Airing yesterday in the US, TMZ Presents: Liam Payne: Who’s to Blame?, has been put on blast by viewers upset that is being broadcasted so soon after his death, reports the Mirror. The documentary features a hotel guest who revealed he was “haunted” after watching Liam fall to his death. The guest, Bret Watson, said: “We happened to be looking out of the window of our hotel at the pool area to show her [the planner] the view from the hotel.
“We saw Liam fall… and so we immediately rushed out on the balcony to see what it was and when we looked down we could see that it was Liam laying on the ground,” he added. The guest added that he believed the singer died immediately.
The former One Direction singer died aged 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October. A report from the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office determined that traces of “alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants” were found in Liam’s system. Officials also ruled out suicide, explaining that “in the state he was in, he did not know what he was doing and could not understand it”.
But speaking on the TMZ documentary, Mr Watson added: “The wedding planner and I looked at each other like ‘oh my God, this is real, this actually happened’.” He also called the entire incident “heartbreaking” and “haunting”, admitting it was something that he would never forget.
Alongside the harrowing account, the documentary explored police documents – despite an investigation ongoing into the death. The three suspects arrested as part of the probe also talk to the camera in the piece but we have, so far, refrained from using excerpts of these sections because of the active investigation.
Fans expressed their outrage over the programme, which has aired just two months after his death, on social media. One fan on X wrote: “Some of these topics are so invasive. just let him rest.” Another posted: “I can imagine how mad, disappointed, furious and angry Liam Payne’s family and his former bandmates feel.” One fan stated: “This is so gross. the case is not even closed.”
A further X user said: The way they’re talking about him is what’s frustrating… It is already pi**sing me off.” Another viewer wrote: “It should be against the law discussing [this] case with [an] accused.”
Multiple tributes flooded in after Liam’s death. His girlfriend Katie Cassidy previously said: “I don’t even know where to begin. My heart is shattered in ways I can’t put into words. I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now” as she paid tribute to the star.
She added: “You brought so much happiness and positivity to everyone – millions of fans, your family, friends, and especially me. You are so incredibly loved. You are – because I can’t say were – my best friend, the love of my life, and everyone you touched felt just as special as I did. Your energy was contagious, lighting up every room you walked into.”
His funeral, attended by multiple celebrities, including his One Direction pals, took place in Buckinghamshire last month. Cheryl Tweedy, who was in a relationship with Liam between 2016 and 2018, was also seen leaving the church. Music mogul Simon Cowell was seen embracing Payne’s father Geoff and mother Karen as they left the building.
Authorities are currently examining the CCTV footage of Liam’s fall after last week, judge Laura Bruinard ordered that the video should be reviewed. Those being investigated have been named as Roger Nores, Braian Paiz, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra, hotel security Esteban Reynaldo Grassi and manager Gilda Martín.
Moments before his death, the singer was seen “convulsing” in the lobby before being carried to his hotel room. Despite their concerns regarding his welfare, the staff left Liam alone. However, they went on to make a 911 call, demanding urgent medical assistance stating that Liam’s life may be in danger. Just moments later, Liam fell over his balcony and hit his head on the base of an umbrella in the court yard of the restaurant below his room.
The hotel employee stated that they feared Liam’s life was in danger as he could escape from the balcony, during the distressing call. The One Direction star had been attempting to scale the balcony and plan an escape from his room which went wrong, reports claim.
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