Braian Nahuel Paiz, a 25-year-old waiter, and Ezequiel David Pereyra, a 24-year-old former hotel employee, have been in custody since January. They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of drug-related charges in connection with Payne’s death last October at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires.
According to Argentina’s public prosecution service, the two men will face trial for selling drugs, following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death. Prosecutors confirmed that Payne had consumed cocaine in his hotel room shortly before he died. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was polytrauma, along with internal and external bleeding. Toxicology reports indicated that Payne had cocaine, alcohol, and several other substances in his system at the time of his death, with cocaine use occurring up to moments before his fall.
The trial will focus on the actions of Paiz and Pereyra, as the charges against three other men initially linked to the case were dropped earlier this year. While no trial date has been set yet, it is expected to begin soon. Authorities believe that the two accused men played a significant role in Payne’s fatal overdose.
This case has attracted widespread attention due to Payne’s high-profile career and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. His family and fans continue to mourn his passing as the legal proceedings unfold.