Argentine police have arrested Braian Paiz, one of two men accused of supplying drugs to British singer and former One Direction star Liam Payne before his death in October. Payne, 31, fell from the third floor of his hotel room at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires after consuming cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant, according to prosecutors.
Paiz, 24, is among five defendants implicated in Payne’s death. Three have been charged with manslaughter, while Paiz and another suspect face accusations of supplying illegal drugs. Prosecutors allege that Paiz provided Payne with drugs two days before his fatal fall.
In a November television interview, Paiz denied supplying drugs to Payne but admitted spending time with the singer at the hotel.
Payne, who had been open about his struggles with substance abuse and the pressures of early fame, was a beloved figure in the music world. His tragic death sparked an outpouring of grief, with fans, former bandmates, and family holding vigils worldwide to honor his memory.
As part of One Direction, Payne became a global sensation in the 2010s, with the band ranking among the highest-grossing live acts of the decade. Following the group’s indefinite hiatus in 2016, Payne pursued a solo career, achieving some success before facing personal and professional setbacks.
His untimely death has reignited conversations about the mental health challenges faced by celebrities.
