Liam Payne death ‘not suicide’ as investigation sees three charged after nine police raids

As the probe into One Direction singer Liam Payne’s death continues, a prosecutor’s office has confirmed three people have been charged in connection with the tragedy in Buenos Aires

Liam Payne died in Argentina on October 16

Liam Payne did not intend to take his own life, Argentina prosecutors said, while tonight revealing three people were charged over his death.

The public prosecutor’s office said three people were charged with “abandonment of a person followed by death” and supply and facilitation of narcotics in connection with the death of Liam. The One Direction star tragically fell to his death in Argentina on October 16, aged just 31.

The singer died at upmarket CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, falling from a balcony on the third floor. The lengthy statement released on Thursday indicates investigators have seemingly ruled out suicide, with it stated the late star “was not fully conscious or was experiencing a state of noticeable decrease or loss of consciousness at the time of the fall.

Liam’s heartbroken father Geoff Payne was informed in person of the proceedings and investigations prior to the three arrests being made. Geoff flew over to Argentina upon hearing the tragic news of his son’s death last month and remained there until Liam’s body was cleared to be flown back the U.K on Wednesday.

Liam Payne fell from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel ( 
Image:
AP)

Argentinian prosecutors probing his death confirmed the arrests of three suspects who are now under formal investigation. They said the crimes were punishable by a prison sentence of up to 15 years on conviction. They also confirmed one of the suspects included a hotel worker.

In only their third statement since Liam’s death, the public prosecutors revealed only alcohol, cocaine and an anti-depressant were found in the star’s system. The long statement, which appeared to also confirm Liam’s dad Geoff was told of the proceedings in person, began: “The National Prosecutor’s Office for Criminal and Correctional Matters N°14, led by prosecutor Andrés Esteban Madrea, informs, following the lifting of the secrecy of summary proceedings, that within the framework of the investigation into the death of British musician Liam James Payne, which occurred on 16 October when he fell from a balcony in a hotel in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Palermo, unlawful conduct was discovered, as a result of which three people were charged with the crimes of abandonment of a person followed by death, supply and facilitation of narcotics.

“From the beginning of the investigation and within a few days, exhaustive and meticulous actions and measures were carried out to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death of the artist. In this sense, several dozen statements were received at the headquarters of the Public Prosecutor’s Office including the testimonies of hotel staff, family and friends and medical professionals.

“A detailed analysis of more than 800 hours of video footage from various security cameras in the hotel and others in the street was also carried out, with staff from the prosecutor’s office and specialised analysts from the Superintendence of Special Investigations and the Technological Support Division of the City Police, made available from the outset by the Deputy Chief of the City Police, Jorge Guillermo Azzolina.”

Respected Argentinian newspaper Clarin said a friend seen with him shortly before he died in his hotel lobby, is reportedly being probed on suspicion of “abandoning” the 31-year-old. It was not immediately clear last night if the trio said to have been placed under investigation, but not yet charged, have been formally questioned as suspects.

It comes after a total of nine raids on properties are said to have taken place. Outlet La Nacion reports that sources involved in the investigation say eight of the nine homes raided are related to the three people being investigated. It also claims one man has been charged with abandonment, and says investigators had called him on the mobile phone numbers provided by the hotel managers on the day of Liam’s death, but he never appeared.

Early on police hunting the singer’s “drug dealer” were said to be focusing on hotel staff. Unconfirmed claims said a Dove soap packet also pictured in leaked photos had been used to smuggle drugs into his hotel room. In one of only two official statements since Liam’s October 16 death investigators linked the tragedy to a substance-induced ‘psychotic episode’ they said they believed he suffered, saying there didn’t appear to be any ‘third-party’ involvement in his balcony plunge.

Liam’s father Geoff flew back to the UK yesterday with his son’s body to prepare for his funeral after nearly three weeks in Argentina. Liam’s body returned to the UK this week in preparation for his funeral. His dad had flown out to Argentina as he waited weeks to be able to bring his son’s body home. Now, his body has been returned to his family, as confirmed by public prosecutor Andrés Madrea.

Dad Geoff flew back to the UK, arriving back with Liam’s body on Thursday morning. Fans who were aware of the plane’s departure tracked the flight all the way to the UK and so many fans kept an eye on the flight that it meant it became the most tracked aircraft in the world. It is believed a service will be held in Liam’s hometown of Wolverhampton later this week. However, it has not yet been confirmed. The service will be an opportunity for his family, friends, and millions of fans a moment to say goodbye to him. Currently, it is not known if Liam’s former One Direction band mates will be in attendance.

A source told MailOnline: “Liam will have a very big send-off, quite probably at a large cathedral somewhere close to his heart. Liam was so loved by so many people, there will obviously be enormous demand and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair.” As details of his funeral emerged, social media users urged others to stay away and let his family grieve in privacy.