Argentina charges five defendants for the death of singer Liam Payne

BUENOS AIRES – Five people have been charged in Argentina over the death of British singer Liam Payne, who fell from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony in October after consuming alcohol and drugs, prosecutors said.

Three of the five were charged with involuntary manslaughter and the other two with supplying illegal drugs to the former One Direction pop star, prosecutors said, identifying the suspects only by their initials.

The last two were ordered detained, but the others were allowed to remain free, prosecutors said.

Payne died on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital.

His death at age 31 sparked a global outpouring of grief from family, former bandmates, fans and others, with thousands of people gathering in cities around the world to offer their condolences.

The unnamed people charged with involuntary manslaughter are a representative of the singer who was traveling with him, a woman who manages the hotel where Payne died and the front desk manager, prosecutors said.

Those accused of supplying drugs to Payne are a hotel employee and a waiter Payne met in other parts of the city, they added.

Prosecutors said last month that Payne had used cocaine, alcohol and a prescription antidepressant before he died.

The pop star had spoken publicly about her struggle with substance abuse and dealing with fame from a young age.

In November, Argentine officials had revealed initial charges against three people in Payne’s death. Monday’s decision means five will now go to trial.