Liam Payne plunged to his death on 16 October from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, and investigators in the Argentine capital are investigating the circumstances surrounding his tragic death
Law enforcement officials are reportedly looking into one hotel worker in particular over drug deal in connection with Liam Payne’s death.
Multiple outlets report that police in Buenos Aires raided the CasaSur Palermo Hotel on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation into his tragic death at the age of 31. According to TMZ, officials have seized electronic and paper records at the exclusive hotel as they review the information gathered. Police were pictured at the hotel’s reception, and a law enforcement source told TMZ that employees have helped them to review the documents in folders and on laptops.
However, they added that there is “one employee” the police are focused on, over fears they may have sold drugs to the former One Direction singer in the run up to his devastating death. Initial autopsy results showed that the Strip That Down hitmaker had ‘pink cocaine’ in his system, as well as ecstasy, ketamine and other narcotics.
Footage of the hotel’s underground area has also been seized by police, in an effort to identify who supplied Liam with the drugs. Investigators are also probing the possibility that Liam could have fallen to his death from his third-floor hotel room in a state of “semi or total unconsciousness” and did not try to protect himself when he fell.
Just two days ago, the singer’s grieving father Geoff Payne was seen visiting the prosecutor’s office in Buenos Aires to assist the investigation into his son’s death. He arrived in Argentina on Friday, as he flew into the country to formally identify his son’s body, and begin the singer’s repatriation to the UK. Geoff was also seen at the memorial fans had set up outside the hotel, and was protected by onlookers from photographers as he took in the touching tributes, and even kissed a photo of his son that was left by a mourner.
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The Argentine Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to Us Weekly that Geoff had spoken to the case’s prosecutor, Dr. Andres Esteban Madrea, about “his desire to investigate and to know what happened” with his son. He visited the office for six hours on Tuesday, and it was later revealed he had been speaking about his son’s life in an effort to aid the investigation into Liam’s death.
He was given a police escort while in the country, and has already spoken to officials at the British Embassy. According to the prosecutor’s office, the top priority is to preserve “the privacy of the family of the former member of the band One Direction”. The heartbroken family released an emotional statement after the learning of Liam’s death, and asked for privacy as they grieved their agonising loss. “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time,” it read.