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Liam Payne’s Final Moments: Hotel Staff Cleared, But Questions Remain Unanswered

BBG News

This was a judgment with a sting in its tail.

On a Wednesday, charges against three individuals linked to the demise of Liam Payne were dismissed by an Argentine court.

Given my extensive background in investigating this case, having covered the demise of the One Direction star in Buenos Aires last October, I wasn’t at all taken aback when I heard the allegations against his friend and manager Roger Nores had been dismissed. Yet, I was taken back to hear that two more individuals were now involved.

Earlier legal records suggested that Nores was alleged to have left Payne on October 16, the tragic day when he fell from the CasaSur Hotel balcony. This accusation also implied that Nores was aware of Payne’s struggles with various addictions.

It’s a topic of debate among some people whether the Argentine-American businessman was aware or unaware of Payne’s drug usage in the time prior to the singer’s passing.

According to what I know and as three top judges concur, it appears that Nores did not break any laws. This is because, under the circumstances, he couldn’t be held liable for the outcomes of Payne’s actions.

The dismissal of the ‘negligent homicide’ charge against Nores seems like a fair outcome, even though it has been a painful wait for nearly four months for the energy tycoon and his loved ones.

What’s concerning to me is that charges against two top-tier CasaSur Hotel employees, Esteban Grassi (chief receptionist) and Gilda Martin (hotel manager), have been dismissed.

It’s the dismissal of charges against CasaSur Hotel staff members Esteban Grassi (chief receptionist) and Gilda Martin (hotel manager) that I find troubling.

A year ago, Judge Laura Bruniard charged the duo following the sensational exposure by The Mail of images taken from the hotel’s CCTV, which depicted three staff members – including Grassi – carrying what appeared to be an unconscious Payne from the hotel lobby to a third-floor room. It was off this balcony that Payne fell to his death just under ten minutes later.

Although Ms. Martin didn’t physically move Payne’s body, serving as the hotel manager on duty during that unfortunate incident, she was responsible for supervising the entire grim situation.

After four months, it’s been announced that all the accusations against me have been dismissed. To be honest, I find myself utterly amazed by this unexpected verdict, handed down by judges Ignacio Rodriguez Varela, Julio Marcelo Lucini, and Hernan Martin Lopez.

Last year, the hotel staff’s actions sparked worldwide controversy. But, what’s different now? When I viewed the security footage the Mail released, it appeared quite evident to me that Payne should have been kept in the lobby and an ambulance called immediately.

As a diligent observer, I’m not implying their innocence or guilt regarding any alleged wrongdoing. However, there are persistent questions that need to be addressed, and it’s essential that we get the answers to these queries.

This week’s court records indicate that Ms. Martin argued she was not liable for Payne’s welfare as the hotel wasn’t a healthcare facility, and she herself is not a medical professional.

Ms. Martin additionally mentioned that she wasn’t aware of the singer’s health status. If she had been informed, she might have chosen not to let him stay in the hotel altogether.

Well, I’m not sure this stacks up.

Initially, wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that it was at that point, when Ms. Martin approved the transfer of Mr. Payne’s apparently unconscious and convulsing body from the lobby to his room, that she assumed responsibility for his care, instead of summoning an ambulance right away?

Furthermore, it’s hard to believe that Ms. Martin wasn’t aware of the singer’s widely known issues, as he publicly discussed his addiction struggles, most notably in a candid interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett in 2021.

In fact, it was uncovered during my probe last year that Payne actually stayed at the mid-range CasaSur hotel, as he had been kicked out of the upscale Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt for causing a disturbance, being bothersome to other guests, and appearing intoxicated.

It’s hard for me to accept that, as the manager of CasaSur, Ms. Martin didn’t know about the seismic activity happening at a competing hotel right before the renowned Payne guest arrived at her own property.

In response, the main receptionist, Esteban Grassi, stated that he was unaware of the celebrity’s substance issues as well. However, he asserted that he promptly dialed 911 following his departure from the artist’s room.

Currently, the judges are of the opinion that they find the testimonies of the pair credible, and as a result, no further charges will be brought against them. In their official statement, the panel of three judges determined that confining Payne in his room does not logically support the claim that it led to his death.

It remains to be seen how the star’s supporters, not just those in Buenos Aires but also from other places, will respond to this decision.

Among the original five accused, only hotel cleaner Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz – who come from disadvantaged neighborhoods in the city – are the ones for whom the charges against them were not dismissed.

As more questions arise, the last duo may find themselves pondering how much more they must give in this sorrowful situation.

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2025-02-20 20:19

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