The documentary Liam Payne: Who’s to Blame? featured an interview with a guest who stayed at the same hotel as Liam Payne when he died – but the programme has been slammed

A tourist who saw Liam Payne fall to his death said the plunge is “burned into his brain” in a new documentary branded “invasive” by horrified fans.

TMZ Presents: Liam Payne: Who’s to Blame?, which aired yesterday in the US, has been blasted as insensitive by viewers, upset it has made broadcast so soon after the tragedy. In it, a guest at the hotel – who saw Liam plunge to his death – revealed he was “haunted” by the tragic incident. The guest, Bret Watson, said: “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 added. The guest added that he believed the singer died immediately.

Liam, singer in One Direction, died aged 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October. A report from the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office determined that traces of “alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants” were found in Liam’s system. Officials also ruled out suicide, explaining that “in the state he was in, he did not know what he was doing and could not understand it”.

Hotel guest Bret Watson said he was ‘haunted’ by what he saw ( 
Image:
ITV)

But speaking on the TMZ documentary, Mr Watson added: “The wedding planner and I looked at each other like ‘oh my God, this is real, this actually happened’.” He also called the entire incident “heartbreaking” and “haunting”, admitting it was something that he would never forget.

His harrowing account was featured alongside an exploration of police documents – despite an investigation ongoing into the death. The three suspects arrested as part of the probe also talk to the camera in the piece but the Mirror has, so far, refrained from using excerpts of these sections because of the active investigation.

Mourners pay tribute to Liam outside the hotel ( 
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Getty Images)
And, it is for this reason, some people online have expressed their ire at the programme being aired in the US, just two months after Liam’s death. One fan on X wrote: “Some of these topics are so invasive. just let him rest.” Another posted: “I can imagine how mad, disappointed, furious and angry Liam Payne’s family and his former bandmates feel.” One fan stated: “This is so gross. the case is not even closed.”

A further X user said: The way they’re talking about him is what’s frustrating… It is already pi**sing me off.” Another viewer wrote: “It should be against the law discussing [this] case with [an] accused.”

The Mirror has published several warm tribute pieces, celebrating the musician’s life. His girlfriend Katie Cassidy had said: “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” as she paid tribute to the star.

Three arrests have been made but the investigation into Liam’s death continues ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
She added: “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.”

Multiple celebrities, including his One Direction pals, attended Liam’s funeral in Buckinghamshire last month. Cheryl Tweedy, who was in a relationship with Liam between 2016 and 2018, was also seen leaving the church. Music mogul Simon Cowell was seen embracing Payne’s father Geoff and mother Karen as they left the building.

Those being investigated have been named as Roger Nores, Braian Paiz, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra, hotel security Esteban Reynaldo Grassi and manager Gilda Martín. Last week, judge Laura Bruinard ordered that footage of Liam’s fall which was captured on CCTV should be reviewed – eight weeks after his death. Authorities will examine the video which had previously not been shared.

The musician, pictured performing in London in 2019, sold more than 18 million singles in his solo career alone ( 
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Getty Images)
Just moments before Liam’s death, the singer was seen “convulsing” in the lobby of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel before being carried to his hotel room. Despite their concerns regarding his welfare, the staff left Liam alone.

However, they went on to make a 911 call, demanding urgent medical assistance stating that Liam’s life may be in danger. Just moments later, Liam fell over his balcony and hit his head on the base of an umbrella in the court yard of the restaurant below his room.

During the distressing call, the hotel employee stated that they feared Liam’s life was in danger as he could escape from the balcony. Reports claim that the One Direction star had been attempting to scale the balcony and plan an escape from his room which went wrong.