Liam Payne’s "heartbroken" friend has broken his silence following the late singer's death after three people were arrested.
The former member of One Direction tragically passed away on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The 31-year-old musician fell to his death from a third-floor balcony of the Hotel CasaSur in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires where he had been staying.
Authorities pronounced Payne dead at the scene, saying he had suffered a “very serious injury” to the base of the skull, per The Guardian.
The forensic medical corps also concluded that the 'Strip That Down' star's tragic passing was caused by “multiple traumas” and “internal and external hemorrhage” resulting from the fatal fall.
In addition to this, toxicology tests found that when he died, Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his body, according to prosecutors.
In the wake of Payne's heartbreaking death, Buenos Aires police launched an investigation, initially questioning five individuals linked to the tragic event.
Now, they've revealed that three individuals have been arrested, and a raid has been carried out at the Buenos Aires hotel where the singer died, BBC News has reported.
Two hotel employees and an Argentine businessman - a reported acquaintance of Payne - have now been apprehended. It remains unclear if these detentions are connected to the initial investigations.
The public prosecutor's office in Argentina has disclosed that the three individuals were charged with "abandonment of a person followed by death" and supply and facilitation of narcotics in connection with the death of Payne, cited by The Mirror.
They said the crimes were punishable by a prison sentence of up to 15 years on conviction.
After the shocking news emerged, the 'Teardrops' singer's friend, Rogelio 'Roger' Nores, has broken his silence and denied claims that he was interviewed by police.
The businessman, who befriended the late singer in 2020, told the Daily Mail: “I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.
“There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left," he continued. "I could have never imagined something like this would happen."
The "heartbroken" 35-year-old said he gave his “statement to the prosecutor on Oct. 17 as a witness," and claimed that he hasn’t “spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since".
He then went on to note that he “wasn’t Liam’s manager,” calling the 'You & I' vocalist his “very dear friend” whom he’s been missing "every day".
Nores also urged the publication to “refer to the email [he] sent to Liam and his team on Aug. 23,” which was to warn them of his “concern[s]” with Payne’s “well-being.”
The 'What Makes You Beautiful' star's body had been held in Argentina for an autopsy and toxicology tests, but has since been released to his family for repatriation to the UK, where he will be laid to rest.
His girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and surviving bandmates: Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles, have all expressed their sorrow in tribute statements.
Payne is survived by a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner Cheryl.
Our thoughts continue to go out to his family, friends, and fans at this time.