Second Suspect in Liam Payne Drug Supply Case Surrenders to Argentine Authorities

The police in Argentina have reported that the second of two individuals accused of providing drugs to British singer Liam Payne, who tragically fell to his death from a third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires last year, has surrendered to the authorities. The man identified as David Ezequiel Pereyra, aged 21, voluntarily presented himself to the police in Barracas, a neighborhood situated south of Buenos Aires.

Connection to the Incident

Pereyra was employed at the Casa Sur Hotel, the location where the former One Direction singer met his demise in October of the previous year. His surrender comes in the wake of another arrest made last week, where 24-year-old hotel waiter Braian Paiz was apprehended for allegedly being involved in providing drugs to Payne. The detention of Paiz was confirmed by his lawyer to CBS News.

Toxicology Findings and Charges

Following Payne's untimely demise, toxicology tests revealed the presence of traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant in his system. In total, five individuals have been charged in connection with the pop singer's death. Among them, three individuals, including Payne's representative in Argentina, the hotel manager, and the head of reception, are facing charges of manslaughter. Prosecutors highlighted that the hotel manager and the reception manager failed to prevent Payne from accessing his room, which had a balcony, instead of ensuring he was kept in a safer location until medical assistance arrived.

On the day of Payne's death, hotel workers alerted the police regarding an "aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol," as stated by a spokesperson for the Buenos Aires Police to CBS News on October 16.

Earlier, Liam Payne had openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and the challenges of dealing with fame at a young age. His sudden death sent shockwaves around the world, eliciting expressions of grief from family, former bandmates, and fans, with large gatherings of mourners occurring globally. One Direction, once one of the most commercially successful live acts in the 2010s, went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016. Though Payne experienced some solo success after the band's hiatus, his career faced obstacles.