A holidaymaker who witnessed Liam Payne’s fatal fall has described the scene as “burned into his brain” in a new documentary deemed “invasive” by shocked fans. Billed as ‘TMZ Presents: Liam Payne: Who’s to Blame?’, the documentary aired yesterday in the United States and has come under fire for being aired so soon after the tragic event, with viewers criticising it as insensitive.
Featuring in the programme, a hotel guest who saw Payne’s fall shared that he is “haunted” by the incident. Bret Watson recounted: “We happened to be looking out of the window of our hotel at the pool area to show her [the planner] the view from the hotel.
“We saw Liam fall… and so we immediately rushed out on the balcony to see what it was and when we looked down we could see that it was Liam laying on the ground,” he continued.
Liam, a member of One Direction, was just 31 when he fell from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October, reports the Mirror.
According to a statement by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, “alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants” were found in Liam’s system. The authorities also dismissed the possibility of suicide, stating that given “the state he was in, he did not know what he was doing and could not understand it”.
In the TMZ documentary, Mr Watson shared his shock: “The wedding planner and I looked at each other like ‘oh my God, this is real, this actually happened’.”
He described the incident as “heartbreaking” and “haunting”, confessing it’s an event he’ll always remember. His distressing testimony was presented alongside a review of police documents, despite the ongoing investigation into the death.
The three individuals arrested in connection with the inquiry also appear on camera in the documentary.
Public reaction to the US airing of the programme, just two months after Liam’s passing, has been one of dismay. A user on X commented: “Some of these topics are so invasive. just let him rest.”
Another expressed their potential frustration on behalf of Liam Payne’s family and former bandmates.
One individual remarked on the insensitivity of the situation, saying: “This is so gross. the case is not even closed.”
An additional comment from an X user highlighted the disrespectful discussion about Liam, noting: “The way they’re talking about him is what’s frustrating… It is already pi**sing me off.”
A viewer suggested that discussing such a case with an accused should be illegal.
Since his death heartfelt tributes have poured in. His girlfriend Katie Cassidy shared: “I don’t even know where to begin. My heart is shattered in ways I can’t put into words. I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now.”
She continued: “You brought so much happiness and positivity to everyone – millions of fans, your family, friends, and especially me. You are so incredibly loved. You are – because I can’t say were – my best friend, the love of my life, and everyone you touched felt just as special as I did. Your energy was contagious, lighting up every room you walked into.”
Numerous celebrities, including his One Direction mates, attended Liam’s funeral in Buckinghamshire last month. Cheryl Tweedy, who dated Liam from 2016 to 2018, was also spotted leaving the church.
Music tycoon Simon Cowell was seen comforting Payne’s father Geoff and mother Karen as they exited the building. Those under investigation have been identified as Roger Nores, Braian Paiz, hotel worker Ezequiel Pereyra, hotel security Esteban Reynaldo Grassi and manager Gilda Martín.
Last week, judge Laura Bruinard ordered that CCTV footage of Liam’s fall should be reviewed – eight weeks following his death. The authorities will scrutinise the video which had not been previously shared.
Moments before his tragic death, the singer Liam was reportedly “convulsing” in the CasaSur Palermo Hotel lobby before being taken to his room. Despite staff’s worries about his condition, they opted to leave him alone but quickly called 999 fearing for his safety, warning that Liam’s life might be at risk.
Shortly afterwards, he fell from his balcony, hitting his head on an umbrella base in the courtyard below. Hotel staff during the harrowing 911 call expressed their fear for his life as he may try to flee via the balcony.
It is alleged that the former One Direction member had tried to climb the balcony in an ill-fated attempt to escape his room.