Liam Payne May Have Received Drugs From Hotel Staff Before Death, Charges Could Be Filed: Report

There are strong indications that Liam Payne was using drugs shortly before his tragic death. An insider with direct knowledge of the ongoing investigation has revealed that prosecutors suspect a hotel employee may have helped Payne obtain the substances. The former One Direction member fell from multiple floors at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina and died at the age of 31 on October 16. The source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, said, “There appears to be evidence that a hotel employee sourced the drugs for Payne,” adding that charges related to drug distribution might soon follow.

According to a public statement from the prosecutor’s office which was translated from Spanish, officials are exploring all angles, including foul play. They are specifically focusing on who supplied the drugs that were allegedly found in Payne’s hotel room. The investigation will also look at the role of any third parties leading up to his death, informs People.

Earlier reports revealed that Payne had been asked to leave a different hotel, the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, for allegedly being intoxicated and disturbing other guests. The hotel has not commented on the matter. In a previous interview with the news outlet, Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, confirmed that Payne had “jumped from the balcony” of his hotel room.

Preliminary autopsy findings indicated that Payne died due to multiple injuries, both internal and external, caused by the fall, as confirmed by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office. Medical examiners reportedly identified 25 injuries in the autopsy that were “consistent with a fall from a height,” adding that “the head injuries were sufficient to cause death.” Further internal and external haemorrhages in the skull, chest, abdomen and limbs contributed to the fatal outcome.

After Payne’s death, law enforcement described his hotel room as being in complete disarray. On October 17, during their investigation, police found prescription medications, including clonazepam (Klonopin), as well as energy supplements and other over-the-counter drugs scattered around. Several items were also broken inside the room. In addition, a whiskey bottle, lighter and cellphone were reportedly recovered from the hotel’s courtyard, where Payne’s body was found.