Five individuals have been charged in connection with the tragic death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction member who fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Among those charged are former waiter Braian Paiz and hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra, who stand accused of supplying Payne with drugs on two separate occasions.

The charges, which stem from an investigation into narcotics trafficking, carry a potential prison sentence ranging from 4 to 15 years. According to a report from Argentine newspaper Infobae, the case involves serious allegations of drug-related offenses.

Liam Payne’s close friend, businessman Rogelio “Roger” Nores, has also been charged with negligent homicide. Nores faces accusations of abandoning Payne during a critical moment, which allegedly contributed to the singer’s death, and facilitating the use of narcotics.

Two months after Payne’s tragic fall, an eyewitness, Bret Watson, who was preparing for his wedding at the same hotel, recalled the heart-wrenching moment. Watson said, “We had gone up to the room to meet our wedding planner, and while looking out the window, we saw Liam fall.” He added, “We rushed to the balcony and saw Liam lying motionless on the ground below.”

Initial reports suggested Payne had fallen three floors, but local authorities later clarified that he had reportedly jumped from his hotel balcony, according to Pablo Policicchio, communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry.

Payne, who rose to fame as part of One Direction, was known for his successful solo career following the band’s hiatus in 2016. The news of his untimely death has shocked the global music community.

In a previous development, prosecutors charged two hotel staff members for allegedly providing Payne with drugs. Photos surfaced that appeared to show the staff handling Payne and locking him in his hotel room prior to his death, further intensifying the investigation.

All five individuals charged in the case have been summoned to appear in court