Hotel staff and friend of Liam Payne acquitted of manslaughter charges in singer’s death

On February 21, 2025, a three-member panel of an Argentine appeals court found three defendants not guilty of criminal negligence in the death of British pop star Liam Payne. The decision puts an end to the criminal trial of Payne's friend Rogelio Nores and hotel workers Gilda Martín and Esteban Grassi for manslaughter when Payne fell to his death from a hotel balcony.

One Direction singer Liam Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, when he fell from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires while losing his balance. The incident led to a court inquiry, and Nores and the two hotel staff were indicted. The appeals court, however, has now exonerated them from blame, and the spotlight shifted to other dimensions of the case.

Court ruling and acquittal

The court of appeals held that Nores was not legally bound to monitor Payne's behavior, including the consumption of substances. The ruling emphasized the fact that abusers of substances are likely to obtain them regardless of monitoring. This assumption was central in coming up with the ruling.

Moreover, there was no indication found by the court that Martín and Grassi had acted negligently or contributed to the death of Payne. Their behavior, such as leading him to his room prior to the event, was not found to be negligent. Thus, all three were acquitted of the charges.

Ongoing legal proceedings

While Nores, Martín, and Grassi have been acquitted, proceedings are ongoing against two others, Ezequiel David Pereyra and Braian Nahuel Paiz. They stand accused of providing the drugs which Payne allegedly consumed prior to his fall. They risk prison terms of four to fifteen years if convicted, as reported by BBC News.

Prosecutors have the right to appeal the acquittal, so the case might not entirely be closed. If an appeal is presented, the court will reconsider whether individuals around Payne during his last hours have any legal fault.

Toxicology report findings

Toxicology performed following Payne's death found evidence of alcohol, coc*ine, and an antidepressant in his bloodstream. According to BBC, Payne was seriously intoxicated at the time of death. The coexistence of drugs has been under the spotlight since authorities are reviewing how they impacted his behavior before he fell.

Impact on the music industry

Payne's demise has ignited music industry debates surrounding the pressures upon artists and fighting substance abuse as well as mental illness. Ex-band members of his and some other artists spoke about the toll of fame as well as better support systems being needed for performers.

The acquittal of Nores, Martín, and Grassi is an important milestone in the case. While legal proceedings progress, Payne's family and fans wait for greater clarity on what happened to his life.

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