Charges dismissed against Liam Payne's friend, 2 others accused in singer's death

An Argentine appeals court has dismissed involuntary homicide charges against three people accused in the death of Liam Payne, who plunged from a third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires last year, according to a ruling.

Two others accused of supplying drugs to the former boy band star were remanded in custody pending the start of their trial, according to the court decision dated Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Prosecutors said Payne, 31, had consumed cocaine, alcohol, and a prescription antidepressant before falling from the balcony of his hotel room last October.

The former One Direction singer-songwriter had spoken publicly about struggling with substance abuse and coping with achieving fame at an early age.

His death prompted a global outpouring of grief from family, former bandmates and fans, with gatherings of thousands of mourners around the world.

Charges were dropped against Payne's representative in Argentina, the manager of the hotel, and the head of the hotel's reception.

But legal proceedings will continue against Ezequiel David Pereyra and Braian Nahuel Paiz—both twenty-something employees of the Casa Sur Hotel—for allegedly supplying the drugs.

One of the highest-grossing live acts in the world in the 2010s, One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016. 

Payne enjoyed some solo success before his career stalled. (AFP)