A waiter has been arrested in connection to the death of pop star Liam Payne, as reported by Argentinian media. Braian Paiz, 24, is one of five individuals facing charges related to Payne’s death on December 30. The 31-year-old singer died after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16 of the previous year.
Paiz, along with hotel worker Ezequiel Pereyra, is accused of supplying drugs on two separate occasions, an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Paiz admitted to using drugs, including cocaine, with Payne but denied providing the drugs or accepting payment for them.
On January 3, Paiz was arrested at his home in Ingeniero Budge, and police also raided Pereyra’s residence, though he was not found. Paiz’s lawyer, Fernando Madeo Facente, argued that his client was not a flight risk and had not interfered with the investigation, suggesting that pre-trial detention was unnecessary.
Also charged is Argentinian businessman Rogelio Nores, who denies any involvement in the incident and claims to have left the hotel 40 minutes before Payne’s death.
