Liam Payne case update as judge charges two hotel employees and orders suspect interrogations

Liam Payne’s case sees new developments as hotel employees face charges and suspects prepare for questioning.

Two months after Liam Payne’s death, the investigation into his fatal fall at a Buenos Aires hotel remains ongoing. Rolling Stone has obtained new documents revealing that the judge overseeing the case has charged two hotel staff members, including the head receptionist who made the 911 calls. The judge has also ordered all suspects involved to be questioned as part of the inquiry.  

A filing from Monday names the CasaSur Palermo manager and the head receptionist who called 911 as “imputados,” or “people charged” in the case. The document requests that these individuals be formally notified of the accusations against them, though the specific charges remain unclear.  

“Since there is sufficient reason to suspect that they have participated in the investigated act, we ask that the following people give a statement,” reads the document, followed by a list of those associated with the case.  

Two suspects accused of providing drugs to Payne are scheduled for questioning on Dec. 17 at 10 and 11 a.m., respectively. Payne’s friend, charged with abandonment of a person resulting in death, will be interrogated on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. The hotel employees will then appear in court on Dec. 19 at 10 and 11 a.m. Under Argentine law, the suspects may choose not to answer questions through their attorneys. After the interrogations, the judge must decide whether to proceed with prosecution, dismiss the suspects, or determine that there is insufficient evidence for any action.  

As of Tuesday morning, the head receptionist continues to work at the CasaSur hotel. He made two 911 calls around the time of Payne’s death on Oct. 16. In the first call, he informed the dispatcher that a guest had “too many drugs and alcohol” and was “trashing the entire room.” In the second call, he warned that the guest’s life “may be in danger.”  

During the second call, the receptionist asks, “Are you sending the police as well, or not?” After the dispatcher confirms that both police and SAME, Argentina’s emergency medical services, would respond, he says, “No, no, just the SAME. Just the SAME.”