Police raided the hotel where Liam Payne died on Wednesday as authorities continued their investigation.
Photos obtained by TMZ and Us Weekly show Buenos Aires City Police at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The media reported that police searched both electronic and paper documents. The former One Direction singer died on October 16 when he fell from his third-floor balcony. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
TMZ quotes law enforcement sources as saying police are trying to determine how Payne obtained drugs that may have contributed to his death. Initial toxicology results showed he had several substances in his system, including “pink cocaine.” Police have examined videos from the hotel’s underground area, according to TMZ. Authorities are reportedly investigating one specific employee, seemingly supporting a report from last week.
People reported that investigators believe an individual who worked at the CasaSur Hotel was involved in obtaining Payne’s drugs.
“There appears to be evidence that a hotel employee purchased the drugs for Payne,” a source within the prosecutor’s office claimed. “A drug distribution charge could follow soon.”
Police sources tell Us Weekly that as part of Wednesday’s raid, they examined the hotel’s registration books and computers. Sources claim that “the hotel” needs to provide more security camera footage. Authorities are seeking information not only from the day Payne died, but also from the days leading up to his fatal fall.
Payne’s father is in Buenos Aires assisting authorities with their investigation, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
“The musician’s father expressed his desire for an investigation and for the events to become known and stated to the prosecutor that he was willing to testify about everything he knows about his son’s life, which could help the investigation” , officials said Tuesday.
The prosecutor’s office previously said it believed Payne was “experiencing some type of outbreak due to substance abuse” before his death. Initial toxicology results showed he had ‘pink cocaine’ – a party drug usually containing MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine and caffeine – cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack in his system. However, a full autopsy is “not yet completed” as further “toxicological and histopathological examinations” are awaited.
Payne opened up about his struggles with alcohol, revealing in 2023 that he had been sober for six months.
There are tributes to the British singer-songwriter, including an emotional tribute from his girlfriend Kate Cassidy. She claimed that they talked about getting married within a year.
“I wish you could see the tremendous impact you’ve had on the world, even though it feels so dark right now. You have brought so much happiness and positivity to everyone – millions of fans, your family, friends and especially me. You are incredibly loved,” she wrote.
