800hrs of CCTV among cache of evidence collected… so why is Liam Payne’s probe taking so long 12 months after death?

The Sun On Sunday can exclusively reveal one of the suspect’s phones was confiscated in November but not searched by police until March

A CACHE of evidence including 800 hours of CCTV footage, laptops and mobile phones are key to the investigation into Liam Payne’s death.

But much of it is still being combed through by Argentinian police as the first anniversary of the pop star’s fatal fall from a hotel balcony approaches.

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Why is Liam Payne’s death probe taking so long?Credit: Getty
 

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Argentinian waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz has been accused of supplying drugs to Liam
A Sun on Sunday probe in Buenos Aires, where the former One Direction singer died on October 16, 2024, has found a trial date for two suspects charged with supplying drugs has still not been set.

A source in Argentina’s capital city told The Sun on Sunday: “Police are still looking through Liam’s laptop and the mobile phones of people connected to the inquiry. It’s very frustrating as the likelihood of a trial still seems a long way off, and there is a sense that the police investigation is too slow.”

We can also reveal that one of the suspect’s phones, which was used to contact 31-year-old Liam in the days leading up to his death at the CasaSur Palermo hotel and which was confiscated in November, was not searched by police until March.

Clearly more needs to be combed through such as the 800 hours of CCTV, the mobile phones and Liam’s laptop

A source

Waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz, 25, and former hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra, 22, face 15 years in prison if convicted of drug offences.

The pair have been behind bars in Buenos Aires since January.

The source added: “The current evidence has been looked at by four judges and sent back for more work and examination.

“The last prosecuting official looked at the case in September and it’s now gone back to the original judge who is re-examining the evidence.

‘Big fan’

“Clearly more needs to be combed through such as the 800 hours of CCTV, the mobile phones and Liam’s laptop.”

Three other people — including Liam’s friend Roger Nores — had their charges of criminal negligence dropped.

Under Argentina’s legal system, the prosecutor’s office gathers evidence, which it then presents to a judge, who has to decide whether to proceed to trial.

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But Liam’s family in the UK remain hopeful that the two suspects can eventually be brought to trial.

The singer’s former girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy, who is the mother of his eight-year-old son Bear, is also being kept up to date with developments.

Meanwhile, Paiz spoke to The Sun on Sunday from his jail cell, and admitted he took drugs with the star but insisted he did not supply them.

Court documents show he is charged with selling cocaine to Liam twice on October 14 — two days before the singer died.

He said: “It’s the first anniversary of Liam’s death so I have started to revisit all the memories.

“I was so sad about what happened and I feel for his family who must be finding it so hard.

I didn’t sell drugs to Liam. I never received any money from him

Paiz

“I wish he hadn’t died and things were different. I used to feel regret about what happened, but actually I don’t regret meeting him as he was my idol and I was a big fan.”

An autopsy confirmed Liam died from multiple trauma and internal and external bleeding after falling from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room.

The toxicology report revealed there were traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system, which would have left him severely impaired.

Paiz, who met Liam while working as a waiter at a Buenos Aires restaurant, insisted: “I didn’t sell drugs to Liam. I never received any money from him.

‘We want closure’

“I’m hoping text messages the police still need to look at will show that.”

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The TV in the star’s hotel room was destroyedCredit: Twitter
 

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Liam fell from a third-floor hotel room balconyCredit: Reuters
He added: “I felt so sad after he died so I went to the memorial that was outside the hotel to pay my respects.”

His emotional mother Sandra Paiz, who lives in a one-room home in a working-class neighbourhood 20 miles outside of Buenos Aires, was emphatic that the police are not doing enough.

She told us:  “I know my son did a bad thing taking drugs, but he didn’t sell them.

“I just want a trial so we can see all of the evidence and everyone can get closure.

“We all love Liam in our family and are so sad at what happened.

“He was a good man who was trying to give advice to my son who wanted to work in the music production industry.”

Pereyra, who was an employee at the Hotel CasaSur Palermo, is accused of selling Liam cocaine on October 15 and 16.

It is claimed he took the drug to the singer’s hotel room after being invited back for a party.

Liam had flown to Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy for a five-day holiday, to see his One Direction bandmate Niall Horan in concert.

When Liam extended the trip, Kate returned to the US three days before his death.

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Argentine police found drug paraphernalia including foil and powder in roomCredit: Twitter
 

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‘I know my son did a bad thing taking drugs, but he didn’t sell them’, says Sandra Paiz, the waiter’s motherCredit: Jeff RaynerColeman-Rayner
It is claimed Liam then turned to drink and drugs.

After reportedly being kicked out of the Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt for “being a nuisance and distubring other guests”, he checked into the CasaSur Palermo alone.

Witnesses claimed he was “behaving erratically” in the hours leading up to his death, and CCTV footage showed him being carried from the hotel lobby to his room by staff.

In a grainy photo, believed to be the last taken of the singer, he looks dishevelled in a white vest.

Other guests then complained to reception that they could hear loud and “violent” noises from his suite.

Argentinian officials received an emergency call shortly before 5pm from the hotel manager, claiming the singer was “on drugs and alcohol” and “breaking up the whole room.”

He expressed fear that Liam would harm himself.

Minutes later, after hearing a loud bang from the courtyard where Liam’s body was found, he made another desperate call asking for an ambulance.

Police later recovered drug paraphernalia from the singer’s suite including foil wraps, white powder, a tablet bottle and a lighter.

The TV also appeared to have been smashed and other items and furniture strewn around the room.

MY TEARS AT SHRINE FOR LOST IDOL

OUTSIDE the CasaSur Palermo, there are countless cards and bouquets of flowers.

They line the streets in a makeshift shrine to the hotel’s best known, and most-missed, guest.

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The Sun’s Scarlet Howes places a tribute outside the CasaSur Palermo, the hotel where Liam Payne diedCredit: Jeff RaynerColeman-Rayner
 

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More tributes line the path outside the CasaSur PalermoCredit: Jeff RaynerColeman-Rayner
It is clear Liam Payne touched the hearts of fans around the globe.

Reading their heart-wrenching notes and messages, I couldn’t help but shed a tear.

Stepping into the fashionable hotel’s lobby, I was immediately struck by the tragedy that unfolded here one year ago.

I then stood in the courtyard at the spot where Liam fell to his death aged 31, and a chill ran through me.

It is the place where Liam was last pictured and it was a surreal feeling.

I felt an overwhelming sadness that someone, who was not far from my age and had struggled so much, is no longer with us.

Liam’s death on October 16 last year was felt so deeply across the world.

No doubt some of the staff I met while at the hotel had been working within these walls during his stay.

Behind their smiles they must be deeply haunted by his death.

Even more so, perhaps, than his loyal fans.

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The Sun’s Scarlet Howes outside of the hotelCredit: Jeff RaynerColeman-Rayner