Three people charged in connection with singer’s death

Argentinian authorities say three people have been charged in connection with the death of One Direction star Liam Payne.

The singer died on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel.

Argentine prosecutors say a man who accompanied an artist has been charged with desertion resulting in his death, as well as supplying and facilitating drugs.

A hotel employee and a third person were also charged with supplying the drugs. None of those arrested were named.

Payne, 31, has appeared on The X Factor and rose to fame in the 2010s with boy band One Direction, becoming one of the biggest names in pop.

Argentinian authorities have been investigating Payne’s final exams at the Casa Sur hotel.

Toxicology tests showed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants in his system, the prosecutor’s office said.

An autopsy determined his cause of death was “multiple traumatic injuries” and “internal and external bleeding” caused by falling from a hotel balcony.

In addition, authorities conducted nine raids on homes in Buenos Aires.

They also continue to investigate Payne’s damaged laptop and other equipment seized.