MESSAGES exchanged between Liam Payne and a waiter at his hotel allegedly reveal how the employee sold cocaine to the troubled pop star twice before his death.
Brian Paiz is one of five people believed to have been charged in connection with Liam’s fatal fall – after allegedly admitting to taking drugs with the singer.
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Liam Payne, who died aged 31 in October 2024, pictured here in 2018. Credit: AFP
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Brian Paiz pictured with Liam Payne before his death in Argentina
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Former hotel waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz – charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death
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Liam Payne fell to his death in a hotel in Palermo, Buenos Aires (pictured)
He is accused of supplying narcotics for payment, along with another hotel employee, Ezequiel Pereyra, who is also accused of supplying drugs, reports Argentinian news agency Infobae.
The pair were remanded in custody ahead of their trial and Judge Laura Bruniard gave them 24 working hours to appear in court.
Paiz, 24, and Pereyram, 21, were charged with selling drugs to Liam on two occasions just days before his death and were both refused bail.
The criminal offense for which they are facing charges carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years if convicted.
Judge Bruniard reviewed WhatsApp messages exchanged between Liam and the waiter as part of the inquest into his death.
The texts reportedly played a key role in deciding his drug charges – that he allegedly sold cocaine to Liam twice on October 14.
Paiz’s lawyer admitted that his client was a drug user – but insisted that he was not a dealer and that the money had not changed hands.
Both Paiz and Pereyra are expected to appeal the decision to detain them before trial.
Meanwhile, Liam’s friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores has been charged with manslaughter over his death, as have two staff from the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires where he died.
The hotel workers, chief receptionist Esteban Grassi and security chief Gilda Martín, were charged with manslaughter.
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Liam Payne’s close friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores (pictured left), with Liam and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy
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Police and civilians gather outside the Casa Sur Hotel in Palermo following the death of Liam Payne on October 16 Credit: Getty
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Toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescribed anti-depressants in Liam’s body when he died
Pereyra, accused of selling drugs to Liam on Oct. 15 and 16, has yet to comment in person or through a lawyer.
Nores, Grassi and Martin were spared custody in exchange for a travel ban as well as almost £40,000 worth of assets being seized.
Grassi and Martin were identified as two of the three men pictured carrying Liam back to his room from the hotel lobby shortly before he fell off the balcony.
Receptionist Grassi, who called 911 moments before the singer died, has not commented publicly since being named as one of the suspects.
But leaked messages he handed to investigators suggest Liam asked the doorman for cocaine shortly after checking in – and called him “useless” when told he couldn’t help him.
An elderly hotel worker also claimed that the singer called the front desk several times, especially at night, to ask for alcohol and ask where he could buy cocaine.
Paiz’s lawyer condemned the investigating judge’s decision to detain his client as “illegitimate, unfounded and arbitrary”.
Fernando Madeo, suggesting he would appeal the judge’s detention order, said: “Braian has given a very extensive statement and has given all the facts.
“Among them, he stated that he met Liam on two occasions.
“Among several cases, what they did in a private environment, they also consumed narcotics, but it is not true that he sold him drugs.
In an interview with Argentine news outlet Todo Noticias, the lawyer added: “What we said in the disclaimer is that Braian is a person who is a frequent drug user.
“He was using more a while ago. He had drugs in the house for his own use, he met Liam and they both used.
“It’s not like they were taking drugs from each other, they were both just sharing what they had.
“They had very broad chat conversations. It seemed to be the only thing that brought them together, but it wasn’t.
“It was two people who met by chance. In fact, it was Liam who was looking for my client.”
Confirming that the pair met when Liam went to eat with friends and his girlfriend at a restaurant in the posh Puerto Madera neighborhood where Brian was working at the time, Madeo said: “Liam went to talk to him and they started a short conversation.
“They exchanged Instagrams. Brian has been a fan of One Direction all his life and tried to talk to him to get to know him better.
“He was not a merchant. You wouldn’t talk for so many hours in a private setting if you did.
“My client had drugs for personal use, they met once and got high together. When he went to the hotel where Liam was, he already had drugs.”
Nores, a 35-year-old businessman, has been linked to Liam in recent years both personally and professionally.
They reportedly met in 2020 at a dinner hosted by a former British Vogue editor, and Nores later supported Liam in his battle with addiction.
He claims that he left the hotel about an hour before the singer’s death.
Earlier this month, he reportedly refused to answer questions about Liam’s fall and denied claims he abandoned his friend before the tragedy happened.
Liam was visiting Argentina to renew his US visa after moving to Florida with American influencer girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Kate returned home earlier after feeling homesick, days before he died on October 16.
Toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescribed anti-depressants’ in his body at the time of his death.
Shortly before he died, Liam was seen “acting erratically” and witnesses claimed he had to be carried back to his room after smashing his laptop.
An autopsy revealed that he died of external bleeding and multiple injuries after a fall at the CasaSur Hotel in Palermo.
Liam’s funeral was held in Amersham in November and was attended by his family and friends, including his former bandmates.
Cheryl Cole, his former partner and mother of his young son Bear, also attended.
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Liam’s business friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores
One Direction stars pay tribute to Liam Payne
Liam’s former One Direction bandmates released a joint statement following his death, as well as emotional individual tributes to the tragic star.
They said: We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death. In time, and when everyone is able, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved very much.
We will cherish the memories we shared with him forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans who loved him with us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: “His experience from his youth, his perfect sound, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
“Thank you for shaping us Liam.
“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me, I’ll be the uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories about how amazing his dad was.
“I wish I had the chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
Zayn Malik said: “Liam, I find myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but selfishly think we have so many more conversations in our lives.
“I never got around to thanking you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
“When I was missing home as a 17-year-old, you would always be there with a positive outlook and an encouraging smile, letting me know that you were my friend and that I was loved.”
He added: “When it comes to music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every way.
“I didn’t know anything in comparison, I was a beginner kid with no experience, and you were already a professional.
“I lost my brother when you left us and I can’t explain what I would give to hug you one last time and say goodbye properly.
“All the memories I have with you I will keep forever in my heart.”
And Harry Styles wrote: “I am truly devastated by Liam’s death.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honor to be with him while he was doing that.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was contagious.
“He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving.
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will always miss you my dear friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicole and Ruth, his son Bear and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I do.”
Niall Horan said: “I am absolutely devastated by the death of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for his work that was infectious. He was the smartest person in any room and always made everyone feel – happy and safe.
“All the laughter we’ve had over the years, sometimes about the simplest things, keeps coming to mind through sadness.
“We got to live out our wildest dreams together, and I will forever cherish every moment of us. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in life.”
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