The One Direction singer plunged to his death aged 31 on October 16 from the third floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, and the friend who was with him just before has now given an account of his final minutes.
Argentinian businessman Roger Nores – who insists he had nothing to do with Payne's death despite police reportedly leading a probe into him spoke to TMZ.
"He was in good spirits – he was talking to 10 or 15 Americans that were here for a wedding," he said.
"He was perfectly balanced, talking to everybody, having fun, laughing, so nothing out of the ordinary.
"So that's when I said, 'Bye'.
"He seemed playful and happy. I went to the hotel three times to check on him. He seemed tipsy but nothing out of the ordinary."
Liam Payne (L) found fame in the British boy band One Direction. (AP PHOTO)
Nores spoke out after it emerged five suspects being investigated over Payne's death are due to learn if they will be prosecuted early in the New Year.
They were questioned after his death and it's been reported Judge Laura Bruniard has 10 days after quizzing them to decide whether the suspects should face charges as part of an ongoing criminal investigation – or if the case against them should be closed.
Two hotel employees last week became the latest of the five men now under investigation in connect with Liam's death, and they are set to be questioned on Zoom interrogations next week.
Identities of the original three suspects have not been revealed and its is thought by the time the judge makes her decision on whether to charge any of them she will have received expert reports addressing the analysis of mobile phones and computers belonging to the suspects and witnesses.
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