Liam Payne’s friend has been charged following an investigation by the Buenos Aires National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, according to the Argentine newspaper Clarin.
This unidentified friend is suspected to be a potential supplier and was reportedly not present at his residence.
Payne, who passed away on October 16 at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, was found to have various substances—including “pink cocaine” (a mix of methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA), cocaine, benzodiazepine, and crack—in his system, based on a partial autopsy.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Payne’s friend and two hotel employees were being investigated following multiple police raids.
According to the Argentine news source Infobae, the police conducted raids at the hotel and at the homes of two hotel employees and Payne’s alleged friend.
The investigation reportedly stemmed from messages found on Payne’s phone, identifying a person who might have supplied the drugs. Security footage allegedly shows one of the suspected hotel staff members interacting with Payne, and one of the two employees has since been dismissed.
The first raid took place on October 23, with officials investigating staff who had worked in the days leading up to and on the day of Payne’s death. Authorities sought documents from hotel records, computers, and surveillance footage.
On November 5, the hotel was raided a second time under orders from Prosecutor Andrés Madrea, as reported by Us Weekly, with operations conducted under judicial secrecy.
Local news outlet Farandula Show captured footage of officers leaving the hotel, carrying items including a cardboard box to a police vehicle.
Payne’s body was returned to London on November 6, where his family plans to hold a funeral to honor his memory.
