Liam’s friend accused local drug dealers of ‘preying’ on the singer (Image: Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)A close friend of One Direction’s Liam Payne claims he was preyed on by drug dealers at the Buenos Aires hotel where he fell 45ft to his death last week. The friend of the 31 year old claims the singer, who spoke openly about his troubles with substance abuse during his life, was targeted by drug dealers during his stay in the Argentinian capital. According to reports from Argentine media, forensic experts found traces of cocaine in Liam’s body during tests performed post-mortem. The respected news portal Infobae reported that materials extracted from the singer’s body “determined the presence of the class-A drug.”
Liam’s friend claims he was sober in the weeks before his death
(Image: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Speaking to the Mail, Liam’s friend shared that the star had been clean for weeks before alleged drug dealers delivered substances to his hotel room. They also revealed that Liam had previously sought help for his addiction in rehab centres in both the UK and California. Recently, he had started seeing a new psychiatrist in Florida, sparking hope among his loved ones that he was on the path to recovery. It has also been reported that his US visa tests taken just weeks before his death came back “completely clean”. “He went to Argentina to renew his USA visa where he had to undergo medical examination because of his history with alcohol and drugs,” the source claimed. “The results of the tests were good. Liam was 100 per cent sober. But when he checked in at the hotel, at some point someone there started giving him drugs.”, reports the Mirror. The friend added that despite Liam’s efforts to stay clean, “they preyed on him,” accusing those involved of prioritising money over the star’s wellbeing. It is understood that two employees from the luxury Casa Sur Hotel are reportedly under investigation. According to the Daily Mail, a cleaner and another hotel staffer allegedly concealed drugs inside a Dove soap box which was discovered by police in Liam’s third-floor room.
Liam previously spoke to fans about his time in a US rehab facility
(Image: Instagram/Liam Payne)
Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free White powder residue, crystals, tablets, and various drug items were also reportedly found. It has been claimed that the drug “pink cocaine”, which is known locally as “tuci” or “tusi” was found in Liam’s body. It contains a dangerous mixture of ketamine, cocaine, crack, MDMA and benzodiazepine and can have a psychedelic and hallucinogenic effect on users, creating an altered reality, paranoia and panic. Authorities are also believed to be looking into connections with potential high-profile drug dealers in the area. They have also interviewed five witnesses to try and reconstruct what happened on the night Liam died, including two women he spent time with in his hotel room before his fall. Last year, Liam revealed he’d spent 100 days in a strict American rehab facility after becoming someone “I didn’t really recognise any more”. After saying he’d been sober for six months following the rehab stint, Liam told fans: “I was in bad shape up until that point and I was really happy to kind of put a stopper to life and work.” *Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnLiam PayneOne Direction
