Never-before-seen photographs are providing a closer look at Liam Payne’s final hours inside the Buenos Aires hotel where he died. The new images reportedly show the former One Direction singer drinking, moving through the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, and interacting with two women before his fatal fall on October 16, 2024. Payne was 31 when he fell from the balcony of his third-floor room.
The photographs are among more than 3,000 documents and images obtained from the police investigation by the Daily Mail.
One newly surfaced photograph reportedly shows Payne swinging around a pole inside the hotel on the night before his death. The materials also include photographs of Payne’s damaged room, where the television screen had been broken. Images reportedly show hotel workers delivering alcohol and capture Payne moving throughout the property as his condition deteriorated.
New Photos Capture Liam Payne Meeting Two Key Witnesses
Other images allegedly capture employees delivering alcohol to his room and Payne meeting two sex workers in the lobby. The women, identified in witness statements as Aldana Serrano and Lucila Goitea, reportedly arrived at the CasaSur Palermo at approximately 11:30 a.m. after Payne contacted Serrano through an escort website. The hotel collected their identification before allowing them to enter room 310, making it possible for investigators to locate and question them quickly after Payne’s death.
Serrano recalled that communicating with Payne was challenging because of the language barrier. “He was alone in his room. He greeted us warmly and I asked him for payment. We tried to communicate, but it was difficult because he only spoke English and I only Spanish,” she said.
Witnesses Claim The Singer Requested Cocaine
The women reportedly told investigators that Payne sang for them and shared music he had been developing. Their statements also included allegations about his substance use. They claimed that Payne asked for help obtaining cocaine and discussed making crack.
According to the women, Payne ordered champagne for them and two bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky for himself. Goitea alleged that she observed him handling an unidentified substance alongside pieces of tinfoil.
She also described the hotel room as being in severe disorder, with clothing and suspected drug paraphernalia spread across the space. “It was a mess. There was tinfoil everywhere with traces of drugs. A drawer was full of it, there was more burned tinfoil on the couch… a lot of clothes thrown around… he smelled of alcohol,” she said.
Her account appears consistent with the newly released photographs of Payne’s room, which show a broken television screen, scattered papers and overturned furniture.
Toxicology Testing Confirmed Drugs And Alcohol
Toxicology testing later confirmed that Payne had consumed alcohol, cocaine and prescription medication before his death. Clonazepam, the medication sold under the brand name Klonopin, was also discovered among the items in his room.
An initial autopsy concluded that Payne died from the traumatic injuries caused by the fall. Investigators found no evidence of a physical altercation and determined that he was alone at the time. The Associated Press reported that prosecutors believed he may have fallen while in a state of “semi or total unconsciousness.”
Hotel Workers Carried Liam Payne Back To His Room
Surveillance images obtained earlier reportedly showed three hotel employees carrying Payne from the lobby back to room 310 shortly before his death. Although he appeared impaired, Payne was reportedly conscious and holding his head upright while being carried. He had been standing in the lobby only minutes earlier.
When employees reached the room, Payne allegedly resisted being placed inside. Staff nevertheless used a master key to enter and left him in the room. According to a police report, they also removed a mirror from the hallway outside, apparently out of concern that it could be damaged.
A hotel employee then contacted emergency services and expressed fear that Payne could hurt himself because the room had a balcony. “I don’t know whether his life may be in danger. He is in a room with a balcony, and, well, we’re a little afraid …” the employee said during the call. Payne fell shortly afterward.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or experiencing a crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For confidential substance-use treatment referrals, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
