Following the tragic death of former One Direction member Liam Payne in Buenos Aires, his family has taken steps to pursue private criminal action against individuals believed to have contributed to his passing.
Lawyers representing the Payne family have transferred their legal interests to a local law firm in Buenos Aires, effectively making the family named plaintiffs in any criminal case.
The family is considering charges ranging from abandonment of a person, manslaughter, and drug facilitation or distribution. If convicted, hotel staff could face up to 15 years in prison for abandonment, while manslaughter carries a maximum of five years and drug-related offenses could result in 12 years of imprisonment.
Photos released as part of the police report have shed new light on Payne’s final moments. Footage shows him being manhandled by hotel staff and forced into his room shortly before his death. These images have raised concerns that Payne was left alone despite threats to use the balcony as an escape route.
La familia Payne está lista para tomar acciones legales a raíz de las ultimas fotos filtradas. Ya tienen gente en Argentina y solo nos queda apoyar a su familia.
Roger, Braian, Hotel CASA SUR y todo aquel que aisló por MESES a Liam deben hacerse responsable! #JusticeForLiam pic.twitter.com/EX8wJHSxZs
— milu⁹³ ❯❯❯❯️ (@leeroysanangel) November 27, 2024
Two hotel staffers have already been charged with allegedly providing Payne with drugs. The ongoing investigation has also implicated a friend of Payne’s for failing to intervene. However, the emergence of disturbing footage has led criminal lawyer Nicolás Durrieu to suggest that hotel staff could face additional charges for abandonment of a person, which carries aggravated charges due to the resulting death.
In Argentina, the legal system allows victims’ families to bring their own criminal prosecution and investigation. This means that the Payne family can join forces with prosecutors or pursue their own independent investigation. They believe that Payne’s parents, siblings, and girlfriend would all seek justice for him.
