Police raid hotel where former One Direction star Liam Payne died

Police have raided the Buenos Aires hotel where Liam Payne died as they investigate whether staff sold the former One Direction star drugs just prior to his death.

The hotel where pop star Liam Payne died has been raided by police looking for information on alleged “drug-dealing staff”.

Payne died at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires after falling from his third floor balcony last week. The star was killed instantly from massive internal and external injuries while an autopsy report showed he had a toxic mixture of drugs in his system at the time of his death.

Liam Payne died aged 31 after plunging from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last week. Picture: AFP

Police raided the hotel looking for information about staff members who allegedly sold Payne the drugs he took before his tragic death also saying the luxurious hotel “must provide” more security camera footage from the day the pop star plunged to his death at age 31.

According to a report in The Sun, officers were seen going through documents and examining computers in the hotel lobby.

Police believe Payne was smuggled drugs hidden in a Dove soap box and were last week said to be probing two hotel staff including a cleaner.

Police have raided the hotel where Liam Payne died. Picture: Supplied

Police are reportedly investigating staff at the hotel. Picture: Supplied

Prosecutors said in a statement they believe Payne was “in a state of semi or total unconsciousness” during a substance-induced episode when he fell to his death.

Investigators have indicated they do not suspect any “third-party” involvement but have said the hunt is still on for a possible dealer.

They want more CCTV footage around the time of Payne’s death and were conducting forensic searches on mobile phones, computers, and other devices.

Police said they were trying to piece together the pop star’s final hours and were speaking to people at the hotel.

Police have also requested more CCTV footage from the day Liam Payne died. Picture: Supplied

Payne had been in Buenos Aires for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s tour, but he stayed weeks longer than expected. His girlfriend Kate Cassidy had returned to the US two days before his death.

Payne told one fan just an hour before his death that he loved Buenos Aires so much he wanted to buy a house there. Payne’s girlfriend also revealed the pair planned to marry next year in a touching tribute to the late star.

The influencer, who dated the singer for two years before his death, shared new photos of the couple on Instagram which included a note from Payne.

Another one of the last people to see Payne alive said they witnessed his erratic behaviour around 4.30pm. He died shortly after.

Liam Payne died after falling from a third floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Picture: Supplied

According to reports, Payne had smashed his laptop and had to be carried back to his room following an erratic incident earlier in the day.

A source has revealed Payne was trying to get off drugs and had been given an all-clear on a drugs test before his death.

“Liam had tried really hard to get clean, then he’s been preyed upon,” the source said.

“These people just care about money – they don’t care about putting people’s lives in danger.

“It’s an evil trade. This is all just tragic.”

Liam Payne with girlfriend Kate Cassidy who said the couple planned to get married. Picture: Instagram

In Snapchat posts shared shortly before his death, but seemingly filmed days earlier, he spoke about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.

“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in one.

But at some point, things took a tragic turn and the hotel’s reception manager frantically called police telling them that Liam was under the influence of drink and drugs and had trashed his room.

The receptionist called emergency services saying: “We have a guest who is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.

“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”

Payne’s sister Lottie, a 26-year-old make-up artist and influencer has paid tribute to her brother, sharing a reel to her social media. “Home with a heavy heart. RIP Liam,” she wrote. “You were loved by so many and will be so greatly missed. Sending so much love to everyone.”

Originally published as Police raid hotel where former One Direction star Liam Payne died