One year after Liam Payne's tragic death in Buenos Aires, two men accused of supplying the former One Direction singer with cocaine remain behind bars as Argentina's investigation continues with no sign of a trial.
The 31-year-old British star died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palermo Hotel around 5pm local time. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but Payne was pronounced dead at the hotel.
A post-mortem ruled the cause of death as "polytrauma" from multiple traumatic injuries. Toxicology results revealed traces of cocaine, alcohol and prescription antidepressants in his system at the time of death.
Stalled investigation
Investigators are still reviewing 800 hours of CCTV footage, Payne's laptop, and mobile phones of several people linked to the case. One suspect's phone was not searched until March despite being seized the previous November.
A legal source described the process as "painfully slow" with "real frustration about how long it's taking to complete the evidence review". The likelihood of a trial seems a long way off.
Payne had been in Argentina with girlfriend Kate Cassidy for Niall Horan's concert. She returned to the US three days before his death, while Payne chose to extend his stay alone.
Accused suppliers remain imprisoned
Waiter Braian Paiz, 25, and hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra, 22, were charged with selling cocaine to the singer in the days leading up to his death. Both deny the charges but have been in custody since January.
If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors allege they supplied Payne with drugs at least twice in the fortnight before his death, with CCTV footage reportedly showing Payne asking Pereyra for "seven grams more" during a brief lift exchange.
Paiz said from his cell: "I'm just a working lad who crossed paths with a star. Today I'm paying for that coincidence with my freedom. I wish he hadn't died and things were different."
Building positive legacy
Only Yorkshire Evening Post reports that family fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital has reached £250,000 for the children's cancer centre. Payne's family, including former partner Cheryl Tweedy and their eight-year-old son Bear, are being kept informed of legal developments.
Only Daily Mail reports that Louis Tomlinson confirmed Liam's death has "completely put a pin in" any potential One Direction reunion. The band members continue to process the loss of their former bandmate.
Sources used: "Mirror", "Yorkshire Evening Post", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
