A major update has emerged regarding the tragic death of Liam Payne.
The late singer and former member of One Direction tragically passed away on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The 31-year-old fell from the balcony of his third-floor room at the CasaSur hotel, suffering fatal injuries described by Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, as "incompatible with life".
Payne had succumbed to "internal and external hemorrhaging" after plunging 40 meters, an autopsy later confirmed in the Argentinian capital.
In the wake of his death, Buenos Aires police launched a thorough investigation, initially questioning five individuals linked to the distressing event.
Now, Argentinian authorities have confirmed that three individuals have been detained, and a significant raid has been carried out at the Buenos Aires hotel where the singer died, BBC News has reported.
On October 23, the CasaSur hotel became the focal point of the investigation as police conducted a significant raid, seizing crucial evidence including computer hard drives and hotel camera footage, a government official disclosed to AP.
The latest updates from ABC News Worldwide and Argentine media outlet La Nacion reveal that two hotel employees and an Argentine businessman - a reported acquaintance of Payne - have now been arrested. It remains unclear if these detentions are connected to the initial investigations.
According to a statement from the office of prosecutor Andres Esteban Madrea, reported by Sky News, the arrested individuals face charges of "abandonment of a person followed by death, supply, and facilitation of narcotics".
Payne's body had been held in Argentina pending 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.
Fans have been leaving floral tributes, balloons, cards, and photos of Payne at a church where his funeral is believed to be being held.
Several fan-organized memorials have also taken place around the world to pay tribute to the star.
Many have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to urge others not to attend the main funeral, in order to allow Payne's family and bandmates to grieve in peace.
As the legal proceedings unfold, tributes have poured in for the beloved artist. Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who was with him in Argentina shortly before his death, mourned the loss of the 'Strip That Down' singer, remembering him as her "best friend and love of her life."
Additionally, more than 130,000 people signed a new Change.org petition calling for legislation to "safeguard artists' regarding their mental health in the entertainment industry" - a change they are calling "Liam's Law".
Our thoughts continue to go out to Payne's family, friends, and fans at this time.
