Argentine prosecutors have charged three people in connection with the death of a former man. one direction Singer Liam Payne announced on Thursday, a source close to him said.
Payne, 31, died on October 16th. fell from the balcony Casa Sur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires.
One person, who authorities said was with Payne every day while in Buenos Aires, has been charged with abandonment and death, a charge that carries a sentence of five to 15 years in prison, according to a news release from the newspaper. He is expected to be sentenced to a year in prison. Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office made the announcement Thursday.
Natasha Pisarenko/AP
The other two men charged are accused of supplying Mr Payne with drugs, including cocaine, and are each charged with two counts of supplying drugs. Officials did not say what the sentencing would be for these charges.
Prosecutors said one of the people charged with drug supply was a hotel employee. According to prosecutors, the three people indicted have been notified of the charges and are prohibited from leaving the country.
The suspect’s name has not been released.
The release also states that Payne died from a fall and did not jump from the balcony. Although authorities have so far not confirmed which version of events happened, prosecutors say Payne “may have been completely unconscious or in a state of markedly reduced or no consciousness” at the time of the fall. is high,” he said.
“For the prosecution, this situation also rules out the possibility of a conscious or voluntary act by the victim,” the prosecutor’s office said.
of Contains a survey Prosecutors said they searched nine homes in the area and conducted dozens of interviews with hotel staff, Payne’s family and friends, and experts in the fields of medicine, biochemistry and psychiatry. Investigators also examined more than 800 hours of video footage shot in hotels and on public roads, and conducted forensic analysis of Mr. Payne’s cell phone to examine his digital footprint leading up to his death.
An autopsy was also performed. Payne’s body was then returned to his father. Jeff Paynehe was in Argentina the next day. son’s death.
Toxicology tests carried out as part of the autopsy found that Mr Payne had “only traces” of drug use in his system. Prosecutors said there were “traces” of alcohol, cocaine and prescribed antidepressants. Medical experts determined that Payne’s only injuries were caused by the fall.
All the information gathered by investigators was compiled into a 180-page report and submitted to Judge Laura Bruniard, who is overseeing the criminal case. Bruniard approved the charges against the three people, but the investigation continues as investigators continue to attempt to access Payne’s other personal devices, prosecutors said.
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