Major update in Liam Payne death police investigation
Three people have now been cleared of charges linked to the death of former One Direction member Liam Payne. Liam died on October 16 in 2024 after falling from a balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
An inquest confirmed that he died from multiple injuries to his body and organs and initially, five people were charged in relation to the 31-year-old singer’s death. These included four members of hotel staff, a waiter, an employee, a chief receptionist, and a hotel manager along with Liam’s friend Roger Nores.
The hotel staff were accused of supplying cocaine to Liam and the chief receptionist was said to have asked others to “drag” Liam to his room, from where he later fell, while the hotel manager faced a manslaughter charge. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
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Roger was charged with manslaughter on the basis that he failed in his duties of care, assistance, and help. According to Rolling Stone, charges of manslaughter have now been dropped against Roger and two members of the hotel staff.
The judges ruled that Roger did not play a part in Liam obtaining and consuming alcohol and decided that there was nothing he could have done to prevent Liam’s death in his final hours.
The ruling read: “It is possible that, if he had stayed in his company at all times, Liam would not have obtained the drugs and alcohol in the quantities necessary for the state of intoxication he exhibited at the time of his death. But it cannot be ruled out that, even if he had taken those extreme precautions… that [Payne] would have managed to obtain the substances anyway, as is common among addicts."
The judges also concluded that there was not enough proof that chief receptionist Gilda Martin and manager Esteban Grassi acted in a thoughtless or reckless manner. However, waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz and employee Ezequiel David Pereyra remain in custody and will face trial over claims that they supplied Liam with drugs.
After the update, Roger told Rolling Stone: “Glad this is finally over. I’m happy I’m now going to be able to travel to the UK and say goodbye to my friend.”
Last month, Roger also launched a lawsuit against Liam’s father, Geoff Payne, seeking £8.1 million. The suit claims that Geoff made false statements and omitted key details which affected Roger’s reputation. Roger said: “Liam, who I miss every day, was my dear friend and an independent, brilliant, respectful free man who did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.”
Geoff has denied defaming anyone.
