An Argentinian waiter, Braian Nahuel Paiz, accused of being linked to Liam Payne’s drug use, has broken his silence. In an interview on Argentine television, the 24-year-old Paiz admitted to meeting the former One Direction singer on two occasions, but denied supplying him with drugs.
Paiz shared that their first meeting took place at the restaurant where he worked in Buenos Aires’ upscale Puerto Madero neighborhood, where he and Payne exchanged contact information.
According to Paiz, they met again on October 2 at a hotel in Palermo, where Payne was staying. During that meeting, Paiz claims they spent time together and had drinks, but Payne was already under the influence of drugs when they met.
“I never supplied Liam with drugs,” Paiz insisted. He added that the singer approached him at the restaurant asking for his contact details, and later, Payne messaged him requesting drugs. Paiz explained they met again on October 13 at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where they spent the night together and used drugs, but he emphasized that he did not provide them. Paiz also noted that Liam offered him money for drugs, which he rejected.
Despite the circumstances, Paiz described Payne as “really sweet” and said he was “not aggressive at all” during their interactions. He also mentioned that after their second meeting, Payne wanted to give him clothes as a memento, but Paiz left them behind.
Paiz, who has reportedly been fired from his job due to his involvement in the investigation, is the second person connected to Liam Payne to speak out publicly. Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, a close friend of Liam’s, also defended himself after being named as one of the suspects under investigation. He denied abandoning Payne before his death and expressed deep sadness over the tragedy.
The third suspect in the case is Ezequiel David Pereyra, a 21-year-old hotel worker who is also under investigation for his involvement in supplying drugs to Payne.
Authorities have ruled out suicide in Payne’s death, stating he was in a semi-conscious state when he fell from the hotel. Tests revealed that Payne had alcohol, cocaine, and traces of an antidepressant in his system at the time of his death.
Investigators are also searching for a missing Rolex watch belonging to Payne, which he was seen wearing in the hours leading up to his death. Authorities have searched the homes of the suspects and others involved but have yet to locate the watch.