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The world was shocked by the tragic death of singer and former One Direction member Payne, who died on October 16 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. The 31-year-old artist, a father of one, was one of the biggest names in pop after rising to fame on 'The X Factor' and through his career with One Direction.
Following the incident, Argentinian authorities have been investigating Payne's final days at the CasaSur hotel. They have since charged three individuals in connection with his death: one person who was with him at the time has been charged with abandonment of a person resulting in death and supplying drugs, while a hotel employee and a third individual face charges for drug distribution. Details of the accused individuals have not been publicly released.
Reports indicate that Payne's room showed signs of severe disturbance, with broken objects and furniture. Hotel staff had previously contacted emergency services, reporting that Payne had consumed a large amount of drugs and alcohol. Toxicology results revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and an antidepressant in his system. Authorities have ruled out suicide, suggesting Payne was in a state of diminished consciousness, which may have led to his fatal fall.
The singer's body has been returned to his family in the UK, and his death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, his One Direction bandmates, and music industry figures, including Simon Cowell. His former bandmates issued a joint statement expressing their grief, saying they would miss him terribly and treasure their memories together.
