Liam Payne’s family pursues legal action as photos reveal hotel staff’s involvement in his death

Lawyers representing Liam Payne’s family appeared in an Argentinian court on Tuesday, with a source informing Page Six that the family might pursue private criminal action against those they believe contributed to his death.

Page Six has reviewed documents showing that Richard Bray, a veteran music industry attorney representing the Payne family, has transferred legal authority to a law firm in Buenos Aires.

Courtesy: Buenos Aires police

This move allows Payne’s family to formally become a named plaintiff in any future criminal proceedings related to the case.

This is the first time Payne’s family has been directly linked to the ongoing investigation into his death, which occurred at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16. This development follows the release of shocking photographs from his final moments.

A source close to the family revealed they were “100% sure” that Payne’s parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, along with his siblings, would want to ensure justice is served for Liam.

The former One Direction star passed away at the age of 31 after falling from his hotel room balcony.

Prosecutors have charged two hotel employees with allegedly supplying drugs to Payne, and a friend of the singer is under investigation for failing to intervene or assist him.

The case has taken a grim turn following the release of police report photos that appear to show hotel staff forcibly handling Payne and confining him in his hotel room. Although the timestamps on the photos are not verified, the events seem to have taken place shortly before his death.

Criminal lawyer Nicolás Durrieu, based in Buenos Aires, told Page Six that if these actions are confirmed, the hotel staff could face charges of “abandonment of a person.” If this charge is deemed “aggravated” due to the death, it could carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.

In Argentina, manslaughter charges carry a maximum sentence of five years, while drug facilitation or distribution convictions could result in up to 12 years of imprisonment.