A recent report from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 14 has provided new details surrounding the tragic death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne. The report revealed that Payne, who passed away after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires last October, had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 2.7 grams per litre at the time of his death. This level of intoxication, equivalent to a BAC of 0.27%, is high enough to cause significant motor impairment, confusion, and disorientation, according to Alcohol.com.
Additionally, toxicology results confirmed the presence of cocaine metabolites, including methylecgonine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, and the antidepressant sertraline in Payne’s system at the time of his death. These substances, combined with the high level of alcohol in his bloodstream, provide a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The prosecution has also confirmed that Braian Paiz, who was involved in supplying drugs to Payne, is facing charges for providing narcotics in exchange for money. Paiz had initially claimed the drugs were a gift, but security footage and message exchanges between Paiz and Payne revealed the financial transaction behind the drug delivery. Paiz sent a message to Payne inviting him to purchase drugs, to which Payne responded with an offer of $100. A police investigation also uncovered that Paiz and others in his residence were involved in the sale of narcotic substances.
Earlier toxicology results released in November showed that Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system within 72 hours of his death. The official autopsy at the time of his passing confirmed that multiple injuries, including internal and external hemorrhaging, caused his death. An inquest in the UK later ruled that the official cause of death was “polytrauma,” a conclusion consistent with the findings in Argentina.
In the aftermath of Payne’s tragic death, three individuals—Roger Nores, Gilda Martin, and Esteban Grassi—were initially charged with manslaughter. However, on February 21, 2025, the Argentine prosecutor’s office dropped the charges against them, citing insufficient evidence. The trio had faced potential prison sentences of one to five years if convicted. Meanwhile, Paiz and another individual, Ezequiel Pereyra, remain in custody, awaiting trial for their role in supplying drugs to Payne. If convicted, they could face prison terms ranging from four to 14 years.
