Liam Payne's missing $30K Rolex: Argentinian officials confirm watch was not stolen after his death

It has been nearly a month since Liam Payne’s passing, and the Rolex watch he wore just hours before his fatal fall remains missing. According to the Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, police are attempting to locate Payne’s watch, which is estimated to be worth $30,000. 

The newspaper reported that detectives stated: "We know, from images that were analyzed, that Payne was wearing a Rolex on the day of his death."

Although the rest of the hotel where the former One Direction member stayed has been thoroughly searched for the Rolex, his room was not included due to a court-ordered closure.

Payne fell from his hotel room on the evening of October 16, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His death elicited an outpouring of emotions from both celebrity friends and a large fan community.

On Monday, November 11, TMZ reported that law enforcement in Buenos Aires confirmed Geoff Payne, Liam’s father, had inquired about his son’s missing watch when Liam’s belongings were handed over to him.

Geoff reportedly emphasized that the Rolex held sentimental value. As the search for the watch began, hotel security footage confirmed it was on Payne’s wrist hours before his fall. However, authorities who recovered his body stated that he was not wearing the watch at the time of his fall and that it had not been stolen posthumously.

In addition to the CasaSur Hotel, police also raided the homes of three suspects arrested in connection with Payne’s death in search of the watch, but they found nothing.

One of the suspects was a hotel staff member, charged with abandonment leading to death, while the other two were accused of supplying and enabling drug use.

While all three have since been released, they are subject to multiple judicial restrictions, including a ban on leaving Argentina until the investigation concludes.

Liam Payne and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, arrived in Argentina for a vacation during the last week of September. They had also planned to attend Niall Horan’s concert in the country. Payne documented much of their trip on Snapchat, with their final stay at the CasaSur Hotel in Palermo.

On October 14, Cassidy returned to Florida, leaving Payne behind. Two days later, Payne fell from his hotel balcony and succumbed to his injuries, resulting in his tragic death.