Neglected calls: How a missed ambulance could have saved Liam Payne
Close relatives of British musician Liam Payne claim that his death in Buenos Aires could have been prevented. According to them, if an ambulance had been called immediately after the star lost consciousness, Liam "would still be with us."
31-year-old singer Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires after falling from a hotel balcony on the third floor on Wednesday, October 16. Police found drugs in his room, including a powerful hallucinogen causing loss of consciousness and psychotic episodes.
A source close to the star's family told the British tabloid "Daily Mail" that they wonder where Payne got the drugs since he had no money for them. According to the newspaper, investigators suspect that "a hotel employee sourced the drugs for Payne."
There have also been unconfirmed reports that the hotel conducted an internal investigation and dismissed at least one employee after the star's death. The investigation "is ongoing," but - as the tabloid notes - charging those who supplied the drugs "could follow shortly."
Payne arrived in Argentina on September 30 with his girlfriend, Kate, and a close friend, Roger Nores.
"Liam's US visa was expiring and he had to leave America to renew it so he decided to go to Buenos Aires to see Niall Horan perform and get his new visa," explains a "Daily Mail" source. However, the U.S. embassy discovered his previous stays in rehab, which required numerous checks and extended his stay.
After a weekend spent on a farm outside Buenos Aires, Kate returned to Miami to take care of their dog, while Liam checked into the CasaSur hotel. - He had no money and his credit cards weren't working, so he was spending all his time in the room," claims the newspaper's source.
The last hours before the tragedy
On Tuesday, October 15, Liam was reported to have ordered food from McDonald's and to be in a good mood. The test results were good, and he had an appointment at the embassy on Thursday, after which he planned to return to Miami. On Wednesday morning, a friend visited him.
- He seemed a bit tipsy, like he had been drinking, but wasn't in a bad state. He was happy, - stated the "Daily Mail" source.
Later, he ordered whiskey and champagne from the hotel bar. Around 11 AM, two escorts came to his room and left the hotel after about 5 hours. The reason was said to be a "dispute over payment." Witnesses saw Liam arguing with the women in the lobby.
The hotel called Nores, informing him of the disturbance caused by the star. The man arrived, apologized to those present, and escorted the artist to his room before leaving to attend to his matters.
Hotel guest Brett Watson from Chicago told ITV that Liam had returned to the lobby multiple times and had even once broken his laptop. - The final time he came back down he actually passed out in the lobby of the hotel, looked like he was convulsing a little bit and had to be physically taken back to his room, - said the witness.
Lack of response from hotel staff
A source close to the artist emphasizes: - If Liam was convulsing. why didn't the hotel call an ambulance immediately? That is what no one can understand. He never convulsed before. If he was that sick why did someone take him back to his room and leave him there alone, with an open door to the balcony?
Later, a hotel staff member called 911, reporting that Liam was vandalizing the room and expressing concern that he might jump from the balcony. - If they were worried he might jump, why didn't someone go and sit with him? Why was he left alone? Did they treat him differently because he was a celebrity? If he had been a regular person would they have called an ambulance?
Liam's father, Geoff, arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday to identify his son's body. He was accompanied by long-time One Direction security guard Paul Higgins.
