News | International
3 Jan 2025 15:41
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > International

    Two more charged over death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne

    Prosecutors in Argentina provide a lengthy update on their investigation into former One Direction singer Liam Payne's deadly balcony fall, as a judge alleges the pop star's friend Roger Nores is "criminally responsible".


    New allegations about Liam Payne's death have been revealed, with a judge claiming several people, including a friend and hotel staff, failed to protect the pop star in his final moments.

    Payne, who was a member of boy band One Direction, died when he fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16.

    The fresh claims about the 31-year-old Brit's demise were made public in a lengthy update released by public prosecutors on Monday, local time.

    The document claimed Payne was so drunk and drug-affected in the hours before his death that he was unconscious and could not walk, so three people decided to drag him to his room.

    Prosecutors also revealed two more people had been charged over Payne's death, bringing the total number who'll face the country's courts to five.

    Three have been charged with manslaughter and two have been charged with drug supply offences.

    Under Argentina's legal system, prosecutors present evidence to a judge, who subsequently decides whether to send the case to trial.

    The prosecutors' update provided multiple quotes from the judge overseeing the case, Laura Bruniard, and said she had already ruled it would proceed to a court.

    In line with Argentina's legal traditions, the accused were referred to only by their initials in Monday's update.

    The judge was quoted as saying Payne's friend Roger Nores "is held criminally responsible for the death", because he "abandoned" the singer, "having full knowledge of the state of intoxication, vulnerability and helplessness in which he found himself".

    Mr Nores is one of the people who've been charged with manslaughter.

    The other two are the hotel's manager Gilda Martin and receptionist, Esteban Grassi, who prosecutors allege were in the lobby when Payne returned to his accommodation on the day of his death.

    The judge claimed both employees saw Payne "could not stand due to the consumption of various substances".

    The judge claimed Ms Martin should have kept the unconscious Payne away from "sources of danger" until he was provided with medical care, and that Mr Grassi "led a group of three people who dragged Payne to his room moments before his death".

    Prosecutors have also charged Ezequiel Pereyra, another hotel employee, and Braian Paiz, a waiter, with drug supply offences.

    Mr Pereyra is accused of selling cocaine to Payne on October 15 and 16, while Mr Paiz is accused of selling it to the singer twice on October 14.

    In the published update, Judge Laura Bruniard described Payne as "a picture of addiction", who had demanded cocaine and alcohol from hotel staff.

    "On October 16, moments before 5pm, Payne could not care for himself," she said.

    Payne plunged from the balcony and was confirmed dead at 5:11pm.

    The judge claimed the three people who had been charged with manslaughter "have contributed, although not in a planned manner, to creating a risk" that led to Payne's death.

    None of the accused have entered a plea yet.

    Mr Nores, Ms Martin and Mr Grassi — who have all been charged with manslaughter — have not yet been taken in to custody. If found guilty, they face a maximum five years behind bars.

    Meanwhile, drug supply offences carry much higher jail terms in Argentina, with those convicted facing a maximum 15 years behind bars.

    Mr Paiz and Mr Pereyra have both already been taken into custody while they await a potential trial.

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other International News
     03 Jan: What we know about the man accused of the Tesla Cybertruck explosion
     03 Jan: 'Intoxicated' police officer allegedly released prisoners in Zambia
     03 Jan: FBI now believes New Orleans terrorist acted alone after initial plan to harm family
     03 Jan: Man who died in Cybertruck blast was a decorated US soldier
     03 Jan: Israel says it destroyed Iran-backed underground missile factory in Syria
     03 Jan: In food-scarce Gaza, Mokhtar searches high and low to serve meals to hungry Palestinian kids
     03 Jan: Al Jazeera hits back at Palestinian Authority after being suspended from operating in the West Bank
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    If Luke Littler's feeling any pressure about playing in another World Darts Championship final - he's not showing it More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Two people have died, and 18 others are injured after a small plane crashed into a commercial building, in southern California More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    The man accused of killing police officer Lyn Fleming on New Year's Day in Nelson has been sent to Christchurch Prison before his next court appearance 15:27

    Christchurch:
    Three people have been injured after a crash on State Highway 1 near Rolleston Drive, in Christchurch 15:27

    Entertainment:
    Dayle Haddon has died at the age of 76 15:26

    Law and Order:
    What we know about the man accused of the Tesla Cybertruck explosion 14:57

    Cricket:
    To day one of the fifth cricket test between Australia and India in Sydney.. 14:57

    Rugby:
    If Luke Littler's feeling any pressure about playing in another World Darts Championship final - he's not showing it 14:57

    Business:
    Two people have died, and 18 others are injured after a small plane crashed into a commercial building, in southern California 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Chloe Bailey feels like "more of a boss" since becoming an aunt 14:56

    Entertainment:
    Kieran Culkin has "no idea" how his mother managed to bring up eight children 14:26

    Entertainment:
    James Denton is "still paying" for his stint on France's version of 'Dancing with the Stars' 13:56


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd