Five people have been charged by Argentine authorities regarding the death of pop star Liam Payne, as announced by the prosecutor’s office on Monday.

Among the charges, three individuals face accusations of negligent homicide, while two are charged with drug-related offenses. Payne, 31, tragically passed away in October after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Toxicology reports revealed that he had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system within 72 hours leading up to his death.

The presiding judge stated, “Taking Payne to his room in such a state posed a serious risk to his life. It was clear he was in a vulnerable position.”

In November, the local prosecutor’s office stated that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the former One Direction member’s fall led to charges against three suspects for “abandonment of a person after death, supply and facilitation of narcotics.”

The charges involve several hotel employees, including the manager and a receptionist, as well as a waiter and Payne’s friend, Roger Nores, who faces manslaughter charges.

In Argentina, the national prosecutor’s office gathers evidence before a judge decides if the case will advance to trial. According to the BBC, an Argentine judge recently agreed to move forward with the case.

Manslaughter could lead to a prison sentence of six months to five years, while drug supply offenses can result in four to fifteen years behind bars.

Identities of Individuals Charged in Liam Payne’s Death

Nores, referred to by his initials, is believed to be guilty of manslaughter for allegedly neglecting to care for Payne despite being aware of the singer’s struggles with addiction and his inability to protect himself. He departed the hotel less than an hour before the fall. The judge asserted that he shouldn’t have relied on hotel staff for Payne’s safety.

Nores, a U.S. citizen, has been prohibited from leaving Argentina.

Prosecutor Andrés Esteban Madrea, in charge of the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina, previously informed YSL News that at least four narcotics deliveries were made to Payne in the days preceding his death.

Reports from BBC and Sky News indicate that the local waiter, named Braian Paiz, allegedly provided cocaine to Payne on two occasions on October 14, while another hotel employee, Ezequiel Pereyra, allegedly supplied the singer with cocaine on October 15 and 16. Payne passed away on October 16.

The hotel manager, identified by her initials Gilda Martin, faces manslaughter charges for not preventing Payne from being taken to his room just moments before his demise. The chief receptionist, Esteban Grassi, has been charged for allegedly instructing three individuals to “carry” the singer to his room.

Surveillance footage from the lobby of Casa Sur hotel, located in the upscale Palermo area, captured the moments leading up to Payne’s death, showing him unconscious and being assisted to his room by three people minutes prior to the incident. Grassi was leading the group and was later seen with Martin in the hallway outside Payne’s room, according to the official statement.

“Given that Payne was not conscious and there was a balcony in the room, the appropriate action would have been to keep him safe until medical help arrived,” the judge remarked. She noted that evidence indicated Payne attempted to exit through the balcony before falling, likely due to his impaired state.

Argentine investigators quickly dismissed the possibility that the fall was intentional and believe Payne was either partially or fully unconscious at the time. In November, authorities concluded that the musician suffered 25 injuries from his fall, resulting in “polytrauma” and both internal and external bleeding.

This report has been updated with additional information.