The family of Liam Payne is now directly involved in the investigation into his death. This week, lawyers representing the family appeared in court in Argentina and have appointed a local law firm to represent them in any criminal proceedings.
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Payne’s family has been granted permission to be named plaintiffs in the ongoing investigation into his death. So far, two hotel staff members have been charged with allegedly supplying drugs to the singer. A source close to the family stated to Page Six that they are committed to holding anyone responsible for contributing to Payne’s death. As part of the investigation, surveillance footage has been released that shows hotel staff physically carrying the singer to his room just minutes before his fatal fall on October 16.
Witnesses also said that Payne was visibly intoxicated and disruptive in the hotel lobby, and the footage showed him resisting efforts to confine him to his room, even attempting to return to the elevator. Despite his protests, staff allegedly used a master key to lock him inside the room.
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Argentine criminal lawyer Nicolás Durrieu highlighted that hotel staff could face serious charges, including abandonment of a person, manslaughter, or drug facilitation. The charge of abandonment of a person can result in a maximum sentence of 15 years if it is aggravated by the victim’s death. During the autopsy, police found evidence of “pink cocaine” in Payne’s system, which is a mixture of 2-CB, MDMA, ketamine, and caffeine.
The loss has sent shockwaves through fans and Payne’s loved ones. His funeral, held last week in the UK, was attended by former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan, as well as his grieving family and girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.