3 people arrested and charged in connection with Liam Payne's death, Argentinian authorities say
NBCNov 08
Three Charged in Connection with Liam Payne's Death
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Image copyright: Mike Marsland/Contributor/Mike Marsland/WireImage via Getty Images
The Facts
Argentine prosecutors have charged three individuals in connection with the death of Liam Payne, a former singer of musical group One Direction who died on Oct. 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
A person who accompanied Payne during his stay has been charged with "the abandonment of a person followed by death," while a hotel employee and a suspected drug dealer have been charged with supplying drugs.
The Spin
Narrative A
This is looking more and more like criminal negligence, with evidence of drug dealing within the hotel and a staff that failed to protect Payne despite his vulnerable state. The suspects likely exploited his condition by supplying drugs and abandoning him when he needed help the most.
Narrative B
The incident was a tragic accident involving consenting adults, with no evidence of forced drug use or intentional harm. Payne had a documented history of substance abuse issues and had recently completed rehabilitation, suggesting personal struggles rather than criminal exploitation.
