Artist

Police Investigation at Buenos Aires Hotel Following Liam Payne's Death

Published October 24, 2024

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The Argentine police conducted a raid at the hotel where Liam Payne, a former member of the famous boy band One Direction, stayed prior to his tragic death last week. The police action took place on Wednesday night at the Casa Sur hotel, as directed by public prosecutors, according to a government official.

Details of the Police Raid

A specialized police investigation unit arrived at the hotel and confiscated several items, including computer hard drives and surveillance footage from hotel cameras. These efforts are part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Payne's fall from a third-floor balcony.

Incident Overview

Liam Payne died on October 16 after falling from the balcony into the hotel’s internal courtyard located in the upscale Palermo district. The autopsy indicated that he suffered from multiple traumatic injuries, including significant internal and external bleeding resulting from the fall.

Initial Findings

Preliminary investigations suggest that Payne was alone at the time of the incident and may have faced a personal crisis linked to drug use, although the exact substances have not yet been identified. Following his death, investigators discovered various substances in the musician's hotel room, along with signs of damage to furniture and belongings.

Toxicology Report

A preliminary toxicology report indicated the presence of cocaine in Payne's system. However, official confirmation of the toxicology results will take several weeks.

Tributes from Fans

The Casa Sur hotel has turned into a spot of remembrance for Payne’s fans, who have left flowers, candles, and photographs at a makeshift shrine outside the hotel.

Arrangements for Repatriation

Geoff Payne, Liam's father, is in Buenos Aires arranging for the repatriation of his son’s body. It is expected that the body will be released around October 28. The singer’s family, including his mother and sisters, has expressed their profound grief over his untimely passing, a sentiment echoed by his former bandmates and fellow artists worldwide.

Liam Payne’s Career

Payne was widely known as a part of One Direction, one of the most successful boy bands in history, which went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016. Afterward, he pursued a career as a solo artist. He had traveled to Argentina to attend a concert by fellow band member Niall Horan earlier in October and shared joyful moments from the concert on his social media.

Liam, Payne, Argentina