LIAM SHOCK TEXTS
Bombshell Liam Payne WhatsApps ‘show dealer waiter sold cocaine to 1D star TWICE before his tragic death’ as 5 charged
Toxicology exams revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescribed antidepressants’ in Liam's body when he died
MESSAGES exchanged between Liam Payne and a waiter at his hotel allegedly reveal how the employee sold cocaine to the troubled popstar twice before his death.
Braian Paiz is one of five people believed to have been charged in connection with Liam's fatal fall - after allegedly admitting to doing drugs with the singer.
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He has been charged with supplying narcotics for payment, alongside another hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra also charged with supplying drugs, Argentinian outlet reports.
The pair were detained ahead of trial with Judge Laura Bruniard giving them 24 business hours to appear in court.
Paiz, 24, and Pereyram 21, have been accused of selling Liam drugs on two occasions mere days before his death and both have been refused bail.
The crime they face prosecution on carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence if convicted.
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Judge Bruniard reviewed WhatsApp messages exchanged between Liam and the waiter as part of the probe into his death.
The texts reportedly played a key part in deciding his drug charges - of allegedly selling cocaine to Liam twice on October 14.
Paiz' lawyer admitted his client is a drug user - but has insisted he is not a dealer and that no money changed hands.
Both Paiz and Pereyra are understood to be expected to appeal against the decision to detain them ahead of trial.
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Meanwhile Liam's pal Rogelio "Roger" Nores was charged with negligent homicide over his death, as were two staff from the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires where he died.
The hotel workers, head receptionist Esteban Grassi and chief of security Gilda Martín, were charged with manslaughter.
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Pereyra, accused of selling Liam drugs on October 15 and 16, has yet to make any comment personally or through a defence lawyer.
Nores, Grassi and Martin were spared pre-trial detention in exchange for a travel ban as well as a seizure of almost £40,000 worth of assets.
Grassi and Martin have been identified as two of the three men pictured carrying Liam back up to his room from his hotel lobby shortly before his balcony fall.
Receptionist Grassi, who made an emergency 911 call moments before the singer died, has not made any public comment since being named as one of the suspects.
But leaked texts he has submitted to investigators suggest Liam asked a bellboy for cocaine shortly after he checked in - and called him "useless" when he told him he was unable to help.
The senior hotel worker also claimed the singer rang reception repeatedly, especially at night, to request alcohol and ask where he could buy cocaine.
Paiz' lawyer blasted the investigating judge’s decision to detain his client as “illegitimate, unfounded and arbitrary.”
Fernando Madeo, suggesting he would appeal the judge’s ruling on custody, said: "Braian made a very extensive statement and gave all the facts.
"Among them, he stated that he met Liam on two occasions.
"Among several issues, which they did in a private environment, they also consumed narcotics but it is not true that he sold him drugs."
In an interview with Argentinian news outlet Todo Noticias, the lawyer added: "What we said in the disclaimer is that Braian is a person who is a frequent drug user.
"A while back, he used to use more. He had drugs in his house for his own use, he met Liam and they both used.
"It's not that one took drugs to the other, they both just shared what they had.
"They had very wide-ranging chat conversations. It seemed like the only thing that brought them together was this, but it wasn't.
"They were two people who happened to meet each other. In fact, Liam was the one who sought out my client."
Confirming the pair had met when Liam went to eat with friends and his girlfriend at a restaurant in the upmarket neighbourhood of Puerto Madero where Braian was working at the time, Madeo said: “Liam went to talk to him and they started a brief dialogue.
“They exchanged Instagrams. Braian was a lifelong One Direction fan and tried to talk to him to get to know him.
“He wasn't the dealer. You wouldn’t talk for so many hours in a private setting if you were.
“My client had drugs for personal use, they got together once and got high together. When he went to the hotel where Liam was, he already had drugs."
Nores, a 35-year old businessman, was linked to Liam in recent years both personally and professionally.
They reportedly met in 2020 at a dinner hosted by the former editor of British Vogue, with Nores later supporting Liam with his addiction battle.
He claims he left the hotel around an hour before the singer's death.
Earlier this month he reportedly refused to answer questions over Liam's fall and denied claims he abandoned his friend before tragedy struck.
Liam had been visiting Argentina to renew his US visa having relocated to Florida with girlfriend American influencer Kate Cassidy.
Kate had returned home early after feeling homesick, a few days before he fell to his death on October 16.
The toxicology exams revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescribed antidepressants’ in his body at the time of death.
Shortly before he died, Liam was seen "behaving erratically", and witnesses claimed he had to be carried back to his room after smashing his laptop.
The autopsy found that he’d died from external bleeding and multiple injuries following his fall at the CasaSur hotel in Palermo.
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Liam's funeral was held in November in Amersham, and saw his family and friends, including his former bandmates, in attendance.
Cheryl Cole, his ex partner and mother to his young son Bear, also attended.
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One Direction stars pay tribute to Liam Payne
Liam's former One Direction bandmates released a joint statement after his death, as well as emotional individual tributes to the tragic star.
They said: We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. - Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: "His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
"Thank you for shaping us Liam.
"I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
"I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you."
Zayn Malik said: "Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
"I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
"When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved."
He added: "When it came to the music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense.
"I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly.
"I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever".
And Harry Styles wrote: "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing.
"His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
"He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
"The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
"My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did."
Niall Horan said: "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
"Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel - happy and secure.
"All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
"We got to live out our wildest dreams together, and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime."
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