In the shadow of Buenos Aires’ bustling streets, where tango rhythms once echoed the vibrancy of life, a somber anniversary marks the untimely death of Liam Payne—a global icon whose fall from a hotel balcony shattered hearts worldwide. Exactly one year after the tragic event on October 16, 2024, new CCTV images have surfaced, painting a poignant picture of the One Direction star’s final hours at the CasaSur Palermo hotel. But these visuals are more than mere snapshots; they underscore a chilling narrative of alleged negligence, as revealed by Ezequiel David Pereyra, a 22-year-old hotel cleaner now languishing in jail. Speaking exclusively from behind bars, Pereyra accuses hotel staff of a “huge mistake” that prioritized profits over human life, claiming Payne “could have been saved” if an ambulance had been called when he collapsed in the lobby. Instead, employees reportedly carried the impaired singer to his room to avoid disturbing guests, a decision that may have sealed his fate. As toxicology reports confirm a lethal cocktail of drugs and alcohol in his system, and with Pereyra facing up to 15 years for allegedly supplying cocaine, this revelation raises damning questions: Was Liam Payne failed by those entrusted with his safety? In this in-depth exposé, we unravel the timeline of his final night, dissect the explosive claims, analyze the haunting new footage, and explore the legal fallout that’s left fans reeling. From the glamour of One Direction’s heyday to the dark undercurrents of addiction and oversight, Payne’s story is a cautionary tale that demands answers—and justice.

The Tragic Fall That Shook the World: Recapping Liam Payne’s Untimely Death

Liam James Payne, born August 29, 1993, in Wolverhampton, England, rose from humble beginnings to stratospheric fame as part of One Direction, the boy band that defined a generation. Auditioning for The X Factor UK in 2010 at just 16, Payne’s soulful rendition of Michael Bublé’s “Cry Me a River” caught the judges’ eyes, leading to the formation of the group alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. Their debut single “What Makes You Beautiful” topped charts in 2011, launching a phenomenon that sold over 70 million records worldwide, with hits like “Story of My Life” and “Night Changes” becoming anthems for millions. Payne, often the band’s “responsible one,” contributed songwriting credits and a distinctive voice that blended pop with R&B influences. Post-1D hiatus in 2016, he pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album LP1 in 2019, featuring tracks like “Strip That Down” with Quavo, which amassed over a billion streams. Father to son Bear (born 2017 with ex Cheryl Cole), Payne openly discussed his struggles with mental health, alcoholism, and the pressures of fame in interviews, including a 2023 YouTube documentary where he revealed six months of sobriety after rehab.

Yet, on October 16, 2024, at 31, Payne’s life ended abruptly in Buenos Aires. He had arrived in Argentina on September 20 for what was meant to be a five-day getaway with girlfriend Kate Cassidy, extending it after attending Niall Horan’s concert on October 2. Cassidy left on October 12, citing a need to return home, leaving Payne alone at the upscale CasaSur Palermo—a boutique hotel known for its discretion and celebrity clientele. Checking in on October 13 after reportedly being asked to leave another hotel, Payne’s behavior grew erratic. Witnesses described him smashing his laptop in the lobby, arguing over money with a mystery woman, and exhibiting signs of severe impairment. Around 5pm, he fell 45 feet from his third-floor balcony (Room 310) into the inner courtyard, suffering multiple traumas, including skull fractures and internal bleeding. An autopsy confirmed death from “multiple trauma and internal and external hemorrhage,” with toxicology revealing alcohol, cocaine, and the antidepressant bromazepam—a mix that left him “severely impaired” and likely unconscious during the fall.

The incident sparked global mourning: Vigils in Buenos Aires drew thousands, with fans leaving flowers, letters, and One Direction memorabilia outside the hotel. Harry Styles posted a heartfelt tribute: “I will miss him always, my lovely friend.” Cheryl Cole pleaded for media restraint for Bear’s sake. But amid the grief, investigations revealed a darker side—allegations of drug supply and hotel complicity—that have kept the case in headlines.

The Jailed Cleaner’s Bombshell Claims: ‘Liam Could Have Been Saved’

Enter Ezequiel David Pereyra, the young cleaner whose explosive interview from prison has reignited scrutiny on the hotel’s role. Speaking to The Sun on the anniversary, Pereyra—detained at Marcos Paz jail two hours from Buenos Aires—broke his silence, insisting he’s “being used as a scapegoat” while the real culprits escape blame. Arrested in January 2025 for allegedly supplying cocaine to Payne, Pereyra faces up to 15 years if convicted. He denies the charges, claiming CCTV footage shows no transaction and that evidence on Payne’s damaged laptop (currently being recovered by police) will reveal the true suppliers. “The footage shows I’m not giving him anything, but justice says otherwise. I have been punished for having isolated contact with this person. They are hiding the truth,” he told reporters.

Pereyra’s accusations center on hotel negligence. He claims management isolated Payne in an “isolated bunker” (Room 310) and permitted rampant drug and alcohol use because he was “making them too much money—triple the money.” “They had him in an isolated bunker and let him do anything he wanted including drugs in the room, and in public areas of the hotel. Bosses said he was making them too much money — triple the money. Nobody wanted to say no to Liam,” Pereyra said. He recounts delivering “a lot of whiskey bottles” to the room early in the morning, despite Payne’s unwell state, and finding it a “mess” with “empty bottles and drug paraphernalia including foil.” “I even said how we shouldn’t be delivering whiskey bottles early in the morning when he was clearly unwell,” he added, but his concerns were ignored.

The most damning claim: When Payne passed out in the lobby on October 16, staff opted not to call an ambulance. Instead, they lifted him “by his arms and legs” and carried him via elevator to his room to avoid disrupting “many foreign guests checking in.” “If the hotel had acted differently Liam could have been saved. They lifted him by his arms and legs and carried him to the room via the elevator. He should have been kept where he was and an ambulance called,” Pereyra asserted. “But because that day they had many foreign guests checking in they decided to take him to the room in the condition he was in. After that they called police instead of an ambulance. They made the call only after leaving him in the room alone. By the time they were making the call it was already too late.” This delay, he argues, was fatal, turning a preventable crisis into tragedy. Pereyra’s mother, Ruth, echoed: “My son is being used as a scapegoat and others who actually were negligent have been let off. My son was ordered to do whatever Liam wants. The hotel knew what was going on inside that room but they just wanted to keep him happy.”

Pereyra describes bonding with Payne over music—Payne using Google Translate to communicate, as Pereyra is an aspiring rapper. One interaction involved Payne asking for drugs and tipping $100, leading to a later accusation of theft when Pereyra left his shift. A hotel employee called him back, threatening firing if he didn’t return. Upon returning, Payne apologized and gave a bracelet. “This employee told me this person was suffering from drug withdrawal and because I accepted his money even as a tip I had an obligation to stay with him as he asked me to,” Pereyra recalled. He insists his role was limited to cleaning and deliveries, not dealing.

Haunting New Pics: A Glimpse into Liam’s Final Hours

Adding to the heartbreak are newly released CCTV stills from the hotel’s case file, obtained by The Sun, capturing Payne’s last moments alive. At 3:48pm on October 16, footage shows him outside the hotel, seemingly waiting for someone—perhaps a dealer or companion—with a relaxed yet expectant posture. By 4:28pm, he’s reclined on a lobby sofa, surrounded by bottles (likely alcohol) and his laptop open nearby, suggesting a moment of solitude amid chaos.

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CCTV footage showing Liam Payne in the hotel lobby hours before his tragic fall, with bottles and laptop visible—a haunting snapshot of his final night.

These images, blurred for sensitivity, evoke a sense of isolation, contrasting Payne’s public persona. “Bottles and laptop” is how sources describe the scene, hinting at his impaired state.

Earlier footage from the basement shows Payne shaking hands with Pereyra while the cleaner stacks chairs—allegedly the moment prosecutors claim drugs were exchanged, though Pereyra denies it. A text from Payne’s phone reads: “We need five grams so I can make crack,” further illustrating his descent. These visuals, part of the ongoing probe, humanize the horror, showing a star in distress, unattended in his vulnerability.

Timeline of Terror: Unraveling Liam’s Final Days in Buenos Aires

Payne’s Argentine sojourn began innocently but spiraled rapidly. Here’s a detailed chronology based on investigations, witness accounts, and Pereyra’s revelations:

September 20, 2024: Payne and Cassidy arrive for a planned five-day holiday, enjoying the city’s vibe.
October 2, 2024: Payne attends Horan’s concert, posting on Snapchat: “It’s been a while since me and Niall have spoken. We’ve got a lot to talk about.” Tensions with Cassidy brew.
October 12, 2024: Cassidy flies home to Florida, explaining on TikTok: “Love South America, but I hate staying in one place for too long… I need to go home.” Payne stays, reportedly asked to leave his previous hotel.
October 13, 2024: Checks into CasaSur Palermo alone. Behavior turns erratic; he smashes laptop in lobby.
October 15, 2024: Spends time with two women, Aldana Serrano and Lucila Goitea, who leave at 4pm. Payne requests a taxi to Pereyra’s home in Lomas de Zamora, saying “someone needed to bring him something.” Prosecutors allege Pereyra sold cocaine here. Hotel maintenance manager sees Pereyra with $100 bill. Pereyra delivers whiskey, finds room messy. Payne asks for drugs via translator, tips $100. Later, Pereyra called back over “theft” accusation; Payne apologizes, gives bracelet.
October 16, 2024: CCTV captures basement handshake—alleged drug deal. At 3:48pm, Payne outside hotel. 4:28pm, in lobby with bottles and laptop. Around 5pm, argues with mystery woman over money. Collapses in lobby; staff carry him to room instead of calling ambulance. Calls police after leaving him alone. Payne falls from balcony shortly after, pronounced dead from injuries.

This timeline reveals a rapid decline, fueled by isolation and alleged enabling.

Hotel Staff Actions: Negligence or Business as Usual?

Pereyra paints a picture of systemic failure at CasaSur Palermo, a four-star haven frequented by celebrities. Management reportedly knew of Payne’s vulnerabilities but prioritized “triple the money” from his extended stay. Staff delivered alcohol despite signs of distress, and the lobby incident—carrying an unconscious guest upstairs—bypassed protocol for discretion. “The hotel knew everything and they allowed Liam to be vulnerable,” Pereyra said. A receptionist facilitated the taxi to Pereyra’s home, and an employee pressured Pereyra to return. The hotel has not publicly responded, but investigations continue.

Pereyra’s Background and Defiant Denial

From Lomas de Zamora, a poor Buenos Aires suburb, Pereyra started at the hotel in January 2024, aspiring to be a rapper. He bonded with Payne over music, using Translate. Now in jail with “dangerous people,” he feels scapegoated: “I’m detained in prison with real criminals… I do not belong here. There are questions that are being avoided.” His parents support him; father Fernando and mother Ruth blame the hotel. “My son was ordered to do whatever Liam wants,” Ruth said.

Legal Fallout: Accusations, Trials, and Lingering Questions

Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz, 25, face charges for supplying cocaine—Paiz also denies. Up to 15 years each. Prosecutors cite CCTV, witness testimony (e.g., maintenance manager), and case files. Pereyra awaits interrogation: “There’s evidence on Liam’s phone which shows who supplied the drugs. But the justice system is taking so long.” Paiz’s lawyer claims no supply, just shared use. Three others—hotel manager, chief receptionist, and a friend—faced negligence charges, dismissed by an appeals court in 2025 for insufficient evidence. The probe’s delays frustrate all.

Fan Reactions and Public Outcry: A Wave of Grief and Anger

The anniversary interview sparked outrage. #JusticeForLiam trends, with fans demanding hotel accountability: “If true, the hotel failed him spectacularly,” one X post reads. Vigils continue, like the initial gatherings outside CasaSur with candles and songs.

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Fans hold a vigil outside the Buenos Aires hotel where Liam Payne tragically died, a poignant tribute amid calls for justice.

Celebrities like bandmates mourned; Styles called him “my lovely friend.” Public discourse highlights addiction stigma and celebrity pressures.

Liam Payne’s Legacy: From Boy Band Heartthrob to Cautionary Tale

Payne’s journey from X Factor reject (2008) to global stardom was inspirational. One Direction’s success—five albums, four world tours—made him a millionaire by 20. Solo, he navigated fatherhood and sobriety battles, advocating mental health. “Grief changes shape, but it never ends,” he once said. His death, amid substance struggles, underscores fame’s dark side.

Unanswered Questions: Could Liam Have Been Saved?

As Pereyra offers condolences—”I offer my condolences to Liam’s family”—the world ponders: Was this preventable? With trials pending and laptop data emerging, truth may surface. For now, Payne’s story is a heartbreaking reminder: Even stars need saving. In Buenos Aires’ shadows, his light dims, but his music endures.