Roger Nores Speaks Out After Being Cleared of Manslaughter Charges in Liam Payne’s Death
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(731x261:733x263):format(webp)/Rogelio-Nores-Liam-Payne-030925-6e4e7cd17d5c433685b3a552fa6d54a2.jpg)
Rogelio “Roger” Nores, a close friend of the late Liam Payne, has broken his silence after being cleared of manslaughter charges related to the singer’s tragic death.
In an interview with Reuters on March 7, Nores reflected on Payne’s struggles, saying, “As a friend, you see them having a drug problem and you do what you can, but at the end of the day, it’s their decision.” He described Payne’s passing as an unfortunate series of events, adding, “It was just bad luck — it happened in a way that ended in tragedy.”
Payne, 31, died in October 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An autopsy revealed that he suffered multiple injuries and severe hemorrhaging, with a toxicology report later confirming the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system.
Nores, an Argentinian businessman, revealed that he and Payne were inseparable in the months leading up to his death. “The last six months of his life, we were together every single day, all the time, along with our girlfriends at that time,” he told Reuters.
His lawyer, Rafael Cuneo Libaron, shared that Nores had emailed Payne’s family before his death, urging them to encourage him to seek rehab. The lawyer stated that drugs were ultimately to blame for the singer’s tragic end.
Nores also acknowledged the backlash from Payne’s fans. “When someone you grew up with, with their voice, their songs, and all of a sudden they’re gone, it’s hard to deal with. They’re trying to find an explanation,” he said.
In December, Nores was charged with manslaughter, along with hotel manager Gilda Martin and receptionist Esteban Grassi, for allegedly failing to help Payne despite knowing of his struggles. Additionally, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz were charged with supplying drugs to the singer.
After a February hearing, charges against Nores, Martin, and Grassi were dropped, but Pereyra and Paiz remain in custody awaiting trial.
Following the ordeal, Nores sued Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, for defamation, claiming that false statements had caused damages exceeding $10 million. In the lawsuit, Nores pledged any net proceeds from the case to Payne’s son, Bear.
On March 3, Payne’s family released a statement addressing the dropped charges, acknowledging the need for the investigation while also condemning the ongoing media scrutiny.
“Liam’s death was an unspeakable tragedy,” they wrote. “This is a time of tremendous grief and pain for those who knew and loved him… The constant media attention and speculation have taken an indescribable toll, particularly on Bear, who is too young to process such a loss.”
The family urged for privacy as they continue to grieve.