Liam Payne's Friend, Hotel Staff Emerge As Persons Of Interest In His Death

Further investigation into Liam Payne‘s death has led Argentinian police to conduct a fresh round of raids on the homes of a friend of the singer and two hotel employees.

The individuals are being treated as key persons of interest in the case, particularly concerning how Payne may have obtained the drugs he ingested during his stay in Argentina.

An autopsy report previously revealed that the drugs Liam Payne consumed contributed to a breakdown that likely played a role in the erratic behavior he exhibited before his fatal fall.

Following Payne’s shocking death in October, Argentinian police launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his passing.

The investigation recently led to a new raid on the home of two employees who worked at the hotel where the singer plunged to his death.

According to TMZ, Payne had stayed at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires and was reportedly contacted by these workers before the fatal incident.

In addition to raiding the homes of hotel employees, authorities also searched the home of one of Payne’s friends. This individual is seen as one of those who may have sold Payne drugs, as his name was repeatedly spotted in suspicious text messages on the singer’s phone.

It is still unclear what authorities discovered during the raids, as no details have been made public yet. However, it is known that Payne’s friend was unavailable when the raid was conducted.

As part of the recent raids, the authorities also visited the hotel where Payne died to search the lockers of the employees. During the visit, they reviewed security footage to search for more evidence that could help the case.

In a different raid that occurred at the hotel last month, the authorities obtained “elements of interest for the investigation,” per LA NACION.

It was mentioned that “documents and videos” from the lobby and courtyard were part of what was obtained at the time. Other items like the hotel’s computers, phones, and other devices were also taken away to be analyzed.

Although the investigation into Payne’s death looks far from over, a previous autopsy report ruled that there was no foul play involved.

The autopsy also noted that traces of drugs were found in Payne’s body, including crack cocaine, benzodiazepine, and pink concaine—a mixture of methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA.

The drugs allegedly triggered a breakdown in Payne prior to him falling from his third-floor hotel room balcony on October 16.

According to a source, Payne getting involved in drugs was unexpected, as he had been “clean for weeks” before his Argentina trip.

“He had been to rehab more than once,” said the close pal, per the Daily Mail. “He had had treatment in the UK and in California, and he had recently been taken on by a new psychiatrist in Florida. Everyone around Liam hoped that he was on the path to recovery.”

The insider also slammed the dealers who gave Payne drugs, saying they “preyed” on him for money.

They remarked, “Liam was 100 percent sober. But when he checked in at the hotel, at some point, someone there started giving him drugs…. These people only care about money. They didn’t care about his health.”

After Payne’s death, his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, shared a short and emotional tribute to him, vowing always to love him and keep his memory alive.

She made a post on her Instagram Stories to share her message to the late singer, starting by thanking fans “for all of the kind words and love that has been sent my way.”

“I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days has felt real,” Cassidy continued. “I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.”

Cassidy added, “Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you, Liam.”

Payne’s family also spoke about the singer’s death, stating: “Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul.”

They continued, per the BBC, “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Fans of Payne might have the chance to enjoy one more project from the singer even after his death.

According to the Daily Mail, he was involved in a new Netflix show that wrapped up filming in August.

The show titled “Building The Band” will follow the lives of 50 talented singers competing to find their perfect bandmates solely based on a number of requirements, including musical compatibility and merit.

Payne played the role of a judge on the show alongside Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger, Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean.

The debut date for the show remains unclear, as Netflix has yet to provide any details about its future.