Man Accused of Supplying Drugs to Liam Payne Prior to His Death Has Been Arrested

According to recent reports from Argentina, one of two men who were accused of giving One Direction star Liam Payne drugs shortly before his death in October 2024 has been charged and arrested.

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The individual, named Braian Nahuel Paiz, was arrested by Argentinan authorities yesterday. There has been a total of five people charged in connection with Payne’s death thus far. Those charged include the hotel manager and several hotel employees.

Liam Payne fell from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16, resulting in his death. The autopsy report noted that the fall directly caused his death. There was also evidence of alcohol, cocaine, and antidepressants in his system when he fell. Ahead of the tragic accident, the hotel’s receptionist made two emergency phone calls requesting medical aid, claiming that Payne was “trashing” the hotel room and that he “may be in danger.”

A Number of Hotel Employees Have Been Charged With Selling Drugs and Manslaughter After the Death of Liam Payne

“Payne’s consciousness was altered and there was a balcony in the room,” said Judge Laura Bruniard, who is leading the case in Argentina currently. “The proper thing to do was to leave him in a safe place and with company until a doctor arrived.”

The judge goes on to note that while the hotel employees likely didn’t intend for Payne to fall to his death. However, their alleged inaction contributed to the end of his life.

If some of those who have been charged are convicted, they will face one to five years in prison for manslaughter. However, those who supplied Payne with drugs, including the accused Paiz, will face anywhere from four to 15 years in prison. Paiz has been accused of giving Payne cocaine twice, two days ahead of the singer’s death.

Paiz continues to maintain his innocence. Earlier in November, Paiz claimed that he did indeed do drugs with Payne. However, he claims he did not supply the drugs nor did he accept money as payment. Paiz’s lawyer, Fernando Madeo Facente, also claims his client is innocent.

“He’s consumed [drugs] for some time,” said Facente in December, translated from Spanish to English. “He says it openly. [Payne and Paiz] talked about a lot of topics. In fact, he is a lifelong fan of One Direction. He had affection for Liam and respected him.”

Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images

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