Argentina Charges Representative of Liam Payne with Manslaughter in Connection with His Death
A representative for Liam Payne was charged with manslaughter in connection with the One Direction veteran’s death in October, Argentine officials confirmed Monday.
Prosecution Details
The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office of Argentina announced in a Spanish-language statement that Judge Laura Graciela Bruniard on Friday prosecuted five people for alleged involvement in the pop singer’s death. Payne’s representative (identified as “R.L.N.”) and the manager and the head of reception of the Buenos Aires hotel where the British singer fell to his death were charged with manslaughter.
Another hotel employee and a waiter whom Payne met in a restaurant were charged with allegedly supplying the singer with narcotics.
Circumstances of Payne’s Death
Payne, an “X Factor” alum who was one-fifth of the global boy-band sensation One Direction, died Oct. 16 after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. He was 31. Shortly after his death, officials determined the singer died from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by the fall.
Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he fell, officials announced in November. Prosecution at the time said it was considering ruling out the possibility of suicide.
Allegations Against the Defendents
In Monday’s announcement, the prosecutor’s office detailed the defendants’ alleged roles in Payne’s death. The hotel employee (identified as “E.D.P.”) and waiter (“B.N.P.”) both allegedly supplied Payne with cocaine multiple times during his stay in Buenos Aires. Payne died two weeks after arriving in Argentina, where he attended an Oct. 2 concert by his former bandmate Niall Horan.
According to Monday’s announcement, Payne’s representative “failed to comply with his duties of care, assistance, and assistance that he had with respect to” the singer. Prosecutors alleged R.L.N. abandoned the singer despite knowing he was “unable to fend for himself” and having previous knowledge of Payne’s struggles with addiction.
Conclusion
The charges against Payne’s representative and the hotel managers highlight the importance of ensuring the well-being and safety of those in our care. While Payne’s struggles with addiction and mental health were well-documented, it is clear that there were failures on the part of those responsible for his care that contributed to his tragic death.
FAQs
Q: Who is charged with manslaughter in connection with Liam Payne’s death?
A: Payne’s representative, R.L.N., and the manager and head of reception of the hotel where he fell to his death are charged with manslaughter.
Q: What was the cause of Liam Payne’s death?
A: Payne died from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by the fall from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
Q: What substances were found in Payne’s system after his death?
A: Traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant were found in Payne’s system after his death.
Q: Were any of the defendants sentenced to pre-trial detention?
A: Two people charged with supplying Payne drugs before his death were sentenced to pre-trial detention. R.L.N. and the two hotel managers were charged without pretrial detention.
