Two More People Have Been Charged In Connection With Liam Payne's Passing

More than two months on from the sudden and unexpected passing of One Direction member Liam Payne in Argentina, another two individuals have been named in connection with the musician’s death.

Payne passed away at the age of 31 on October 16th after a fall from a hotel balcony. Upon investigation, the singer was found to have ingested several substances in the lead-up to his death, with authorities ruling out suicide due to video evidence emerging of Payne passing out before falling off the balcony. 

In November, three individuals were charged with supplying, as well as neglecting Payne in his hotel room in a vulnerable state.

Now, as the ABC reports, new public notice by Argentina‘s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office has shared further detail’s about Payne’s passing, including information regarding to charges of two more individuals.

Those charged in relation to Payne’s death include the hotel’s manager, Gilda Martin; receptionist, Esteban Grassi; and Payne's friend Roger Nores, who have all been charged with manslaughter. Furthermore, hotel worker Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz have been charged with supplying drugs.

As per the Argentinian legal system, prosecutors must present their evidence to a judge who then decides if the case will be sent to trial. Judge Laura Bruniard has already noted she will see the case proceed to court.

Per the report (which identify the suspects by their initials), Nores’ charge of manslaughter relates to his alleged failure to “comply with his duties of care” towards Payne, “having full knowledge of the state of intoxication, vulnerability and defenselessness in which he found himself”.

Martin and Grassi’s charges relate to their presence within the hotel lobby and their alleged acknowledgement of Payne's "state of health", which describes the musician as someone "who could not stand due to the consumption of different substances".

The notice alleges the hotel workers should have attempted to "keep [Payne] safe in an area without sources of danger" until medical care was administered, instead of allowing Payne to return to his hotel room.

“Payne's consciousness was altered and there was a balcony in the room,” the judge claimed. “The appropriate thing to do was to leave him in a safe place and in company until a doctor arrived. The responsible people in the hotel that day were the manager GAM and the head of reception ERG.”

Per the ABC, Nores, Martin, and Grassi face a potential five years behind bars if found guilty following a trial, while Pereyra and Paiz could face 15 years due to the country’s harsh stance on drug supply offences.