Authorities have reportedly apprehended another individual in Argentina as part of the investigation into the passing of 31-year-old Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction, who died in October.

Braian Paiz, a waiter from the Casa Sur hotel, was taken into custody on Friday after a judge ordered him to be held in pre-trial detention. He is accused of providing cocaine to Payne, as reported by CBS News, the Daily Mail, and the Buenos Aires Times.

YSL News has contacted the Argentine prosecutor’s office and Paiz’s attorney for further comments.

In a statement released on December 30, the local prosecutor’s office indicated that Paiz, known only by his initials, allegedly supplied cocaine to Payne on two occasions on October 14 and received payment for it. It is reported that he visited Payne’s hotel room from 3:25 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. that morning, and provided him with more cocaine around 10 a.m. after the singer took a taxi to Paiz’s residence and then returned to the hotel in Palermo.

Prosecutor Andrés Esteban Madrea stated that Paiz initially confessed to giving Payne drugs but claimed it was for companionship, not for monetary gain. However, Judge Laura Bruniard, who is overseeing the case, believes Paiz supplied cocaine for payment, especially since Payne had requested money from the hotel reception while Paiz was present.

Who is the other Casa Sur hotel employee implicated in Liam Payne’s case?

Paiz and a second hotel worker, identified by prosecutors as “EDP,” revealed to be Ezequiel Pereyra, were the only suspects ordered to be held in pre-trial detention. Both were also required to provide assets worth 5 million pesos. The allegations they face could lead to prison sentences ranging from four to fifteen years.

Pereyra is alleged to have supplied cocaine to Payne at 3:25 a.m. on October 15, and again on October 16, between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Payne tragically passed away shortly after 5 p.m. on October 16 after falling from a balcony at the hotel restaurant.

The investigation found that the injuries sustained by Payne were consistent with a fall from a third-floor balcony, and it was determined that there was no involvement of a third party. Toxicology reports indicated that there were traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant in Payne’s system within the 72 hours before his death.

Investigators believe that Payne was likely unconscious at the time of his fall and concluded that it was not a deliberate act.

In November, the local prosecutor’s office announced the launch of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Liam Payne’s death, leading to criminal charges against three suspects for “abandonment of a person after death, supply and facilitation of narcotics.”

Liam Payne’s Friend and Hotel Staff Charged with Negligence

The other individuals charged include Roger Nores, who is a friend of Payne and was rumored to be his manager. Nores, referenced by his initials, faces charges of negligent homicide for allegedly leaving Payne vulnerable, despite being aware of the singer’s struggles with addiction and his inability to care for himself. Allegedly, Nores left the hotel less than an hour before the fall, and the judge stated he should not have left Payne in the care of hotel staff.

The hotel manager, referred to as Gilda Martin, is also charged with negligence related to Payne’s death for not preventing Payne from being taken to his room just moments prior to his passing. Additionally, head receptionist Esteban Grassi faces accusations of leading three individuals to “drag” Payne to his room minutes before he fell to his death.

Security footage purportedly shows an unconscious Payne being lifted to his third-floor room by three individuals along with Grassi.

Judge Bruniard pointed out that instead of leaving Payne in such a vulnerable condition, Martin and Grassi should have ensured he was kept “safe” in a designated area until he could receive proper medical attention.

Nores, Martin, and Grassi’s charges could result in prison sentences between one to five years, according to prosecutors. Each of them has been ordered to forfeit 50 million pesos before the trial.

Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with British singer Cheryl Cole; his parents, Karen and Geoff Payne; and his sisters, Ruth Gibbins and Nicola Payne.

If you or someone you know is facing challenges with substance abuse, you can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This service is confidential, free, and available in both English and Spanish.