In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the global music community, new CCTV images have surfaced showing Liam Payne being escorted through the CasaSur Palermo Hotel lobby by three staff members, mere minutes before his fatal plunge from a third-floor balcony on October 16. The footage raises troubling questions about the events leading up to the British pop star’s untimely death.
The images, obtained by The Daily Mail, depict a disoriented Payne being carried by hotel employees following reports that he had been seen convulsing on the lobby floor. Witnesses suggest the singer, visibly intoxicated, was moved back to his suite instead of receiving immediate medical attention.
Timeline of Events
The timeline, pieced together from CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, paints a harrowing picture:
- 15:53: Payne enters the hotel with his friend, Argentine-American businessman Roger Nores, appearing in good spirits. He interacts with fans, discussing his life in Florida and his relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy.
- 16:00–16:30: Payne repeatedly travels between the lobby and his suite. Witnesses describe his behavior as increasingly erratic, including outbursts of frustration and references to his past in One Direction.
- 16:54: CCTV captures Payne being carried to his suite by three staff members, including chief receptionist Esteban Grassi. Conflicting timestamps raise questions about the sequence of events.
- Shortly after 17:00: Payne falls from his suite’s balcony, a 13-meter drop that resulted in instant death.
Questions of Accountability
The decision to return Payne to his suite, despite visible signs of distress, has drawn significant criticism. Why was medical help not summoned earlier? Additionally, staff had reportedly expressed concerns to emergency responders about the danger posed by the suite’s balcony, yet the intoxicated singer was left alone.
Autopsy findings confirmed multiple traumas caused by the fall, alongside traces of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in Payne’s system.
A Tragic End
Just days after Payne’s funeral at St. Mary’s Church in Buckinghamshire, these images and details offer new insight into his final hours. They also raise speculation about whether Payne’s history of evading attention, including attempts to leave hotels undetected, may have contributed to the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, these revelations add further weight to the questions surrounding the actions—or inactions—of those tasked with ensuring his safety.
