Three people charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death in Argentina

Three individuals have been charged in relation to Liam Payne's death in Argentina for allegedly providing drugs and failing to assist someone who subsequently died.

According to a statement from prosecutors on Thursday, toxicology tests revealed that when Payne passed away, his system contained remnants of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant.

The ex-One Direction member tragically died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in the Palermo area of Buenos Aires on October 16.

Visitors reported hearing thumping noises and doors slamming during the afternoon, followed by a sudden, loud scream. Employees contacted emergency services to report a guest who was "overwhelmed by substances" and causing significant damage to a room. The body of the 31-year-old was discovered later that afternoon in the internal courtyard of Casa Sur.

Authorities declared Payne dead at the location, noting he had sustained a "severe injury" to the lower part of his skull. The forensic medical team later determined that his passing was due to "various traumas" and “internal and external bleeding” stemming from the fall.

One of the three suspects is said to have made frequent visits to Payne during his two-week time in the city. They are facing charges of neglecting a person that resulted in death, which could lead to a prison sentence of five to fifteen years, as well as charges related to drug offenses.

According to prosecutors, the second individual, who works at the hotel, is "accountable for two confirmed instances of cocaine supply." The third individual has also been charged with providing drugs on October 14th.

Prosecutors reported that authorities gathered numerous testimonies and carried out nine searches at residences throughout Buenos Aires province, leading to the confiscation of various electronic devices. In addition, over 800 hours of video recordings have been reviewed.

In their announcement, the prosecutors dismissed the possibility of suicide, stating, "The absence of any defensive actions during the fall, along with other significant information regarding his consumption, leads us to determine that Liam Payne was either not fully aware or was in a condition of clear diminished or lost consciousness when he fell."

The option of having a third party physically intervene was also ruled out.

Payne, originally from Wolverhampton, England, joined One Direction after participating in the British reality show The X Factor during his teenage years. The band, which became one of the most successful boybands ever, sold over 70 million records globally before taking an indefinite break in 2016.

Payne had shared his experiences regarding mental health challenges in the past. He revealed that at the peak of the band's popularity, he started using alcohol and a medication for epilepsy to help stabilize his mood, as he was dealing with intense emotional fluctuations.

After his son's passing, Geoff, Payne's father, made a trip to Buenos Aires. While there, he connected with fans and went to the British Cemetery, where his son's remains were laid to rest. Earlier this week, Payne's body was returned to the UK.