Argentinian police investigating the death of Liam Payne have raided the homes of two hotel workers and a ‘friend’ of the former One Direction singer.
The raids were carried out on Tuesday evening, while workers’ lockers at the hotel where the 31-year-old died were also searched, law enforcement sources in Buenos Aires said. TMZ.
Police believe employees had been in contact with Liam before he plunged to his death from a third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel last month.
According to TMZ’s report, Liam’s “friend” was identified by police by looking at messages on his phone to see who was selling him drugs.
However, it is understood the person officers wanted to speak to was not at home during last night’s raid.
Liam Payne (pictured) died last month after falling from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires
Aerial view of the hotel where British singer Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires
Payne was on holiday in South America with girlfriend Kate Cassidy (left)
Liam Payne’s last Snapchat post before falling to his death from the third floor of a hotel
This development comes after police raided the same hotel late last month and seized electronic and paper documents.
Argentinian officers followed up on allegations that staff had sold Liam drugs in the hours leading up to his death.
A post-mortem examination following his death revealed that the 31-year-old’s cause of death on October 16 was due to the head injuries he suffered during his fall.
Prosecutors have since investigated the theory that Liam was in “a state of semi- or total unconsciousness” during an apparent drug-induced episode on the morning of his death.
A hotel reception staff member made a distressing 999 call requesting ‘urgent’ assistance after Payne behaved erratically and was escorted back to his hotel room.
The hotel employee called twice and in the first case said: ‘We have a guest who is crazy on drugs and destroys everything in his room. Someone has to come.’
When the line went dead, he called back and said, “I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger. The room has a balcony and we are afraid he will do something.’
Forensic police arrive at the hotel where Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires
Liam rose to fame with the band One Direction. He is pictured with band members (left-right) Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik
Liam Payne in the lobby of the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires, just minutes before his death
According to local media, Payne allegedly ‘behaved erratically in the hotel lobby and broke his laptop’ before having to be ‘carried back to his room’.
Seconds later, the employee, who identified himself as Esteban, added, “Just send an ambulance, only an ambulance.” Workers had heard a loud noise in the courtyard before the singer’s body was discovered, just after 5pm local time (9pm UK time).
The singer had traveled to Argentina earlier last month for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s concert.
His girlfriend Kate Cassidy had been with him on the trip, but left two days before he died.
She posted a heartbreaking tribute, saying she had suffered “complete loss” following his death.
Kate continued, “Thank you for all the kind words and love sent my way. I have suffered a complete loss.
“Nothing about the past few days felt real. I ask and pray that you give me the grace and space to deal with this privately.
‘Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know that I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will love you for the rest of my life. I love you, Liam.”