Police investigating the circumstances surrounding Liam Payne’s death have confirmed they have spoken to three hotel staff and two alleged escorts.
Officials also spoke to three employees at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the One Direction star fell from a balcony and sadly died on Wednesday (October 16). Liam is believed to have fallen from around 13 or 14 metres, sustaining “very serious injuries incompatible with life” in the process.
The two unnamed women, both 25, are understood to have admitted to being sex workers in sworn statements to prosecutors and said they had been booked for a client at hotel via an online escort service, according to news outlet Clarin. The pair claimed they arrived at the hotel at 11.30am and left at 4pm.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
They said Liam did not consume drugs while with them and was behaving normally. “We drank alcohol,” their statement, given on Wednesday night, said. Sources close to the investigation said the pair planned to leave the hotel earlier, but stayed as they claimed they had not been paid.
On the day of Liam’s death, police are understood to have been called to reports of a “man acting aggressively at the hotel who could be under the effect of drink or drugs,” with staff requesting “urgent” help in a call to emergency services. Officers said the star’s hotel room had been “in complete disarray” when they arrived, with “various items broken”.
(Image: PA)
Since then, tributes have poured in for the star. Taking to Instagram this morning (Saturday, October 19), his sister Ruth said she was struggling to come to terms with her brother’s passing, as all she wanted to do was drive to her brother’s house and speak to him.” She added: “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
She wrote: “Liam, my brain is struggling to catch up with what’s happening and I don’t understand where you’ve gone. I just want to drive to your house and walk in to music blasting and find you sat there writing a song or walk into your art phases and sit with you while you draw or craft.”
She went on: “What I love most about you is your ability to make me laugh. I never chuckle as much as I do when I’m with you with anyone else. I’m always in awe of your talent it should be illegal to be so talented and just have the ability to not only be good at things but to be bloody great at everything you attempt, without even knowing you’re absolutely smashing it each time.
(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
“I love your kindness and how proud I am to call you my brother and my best friend. You also make a great Sunday dinner too!” she continued.
It comes after Liam’s dad, Geoff Payne, visited CasaSur Hotel to view tributes placed there in honour of his son. He was photographed looking at the floral tributes and notes left in honour of Liam, surrounded by mourners.
Geoff, along with Liam’s mum, Karen Payne, left “in a hurry” at around midnight after hearing of their son’s death. The family, from Wolverhampton, issued a statement in the wake of the news, saying: “We are heartbroken.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.