Rogelio Nores Breaks Silence After Liam Payne's Tragic Death and Charges Dropped.
Rogelio "Roger" Nores, a close friend of the late Liam Payne, opened up about their friendship after being cleared of manslaughter charges in connection with the singer's tragic death. In a recent interview published on March 7, Nores opened up about the painful events surrounding Payne’s passing.
Nores on His Friendship with Liam
In the interview, Nores shared that while he tried to support his friend, who struggled with addiction, ultimately, it was Liam’s personal decision to seek help. “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,” Nores explained. He acknowledged the tragic sequence of events leading to Liam's death, attributing it to “bad luck.”
Liam Payne died in October 2024 at age 31 after falling from a hotel balcony at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A preliminary autopsy showed that Payne’s cause of death was “polytrauma” resulting from multiple injuries, along with internal and external hemorrhages. His toxicology report revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system.
Liam’s Final Months and the Legal Battle
According to Nores, he and Liam spent the last six months of the singer's life together almost every day, alongside their girlfriends. Nores’ lawyer, Rafael Cuneo Libaron, revealed that Nores had sent an email to Liam’s family recommending rehab for the singer shortly before his death.
Libaron emphasized that Liam’s substance abuse was a key factor in his untimely passing.
Liam Payne met the Nores through Maya. Photo from Oct 17 2021, at a dinner in London with Nacho Nores. (Photo: X platform)
In December 2024, Nores, along with hotel staff members, was charged with manslaughter following Liam's death. The charges claimed Nores failed to assist or care for his friend, who suffered from multiple addictions.
However, after a hearing in Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Court, the charges against Nores, hotel manager Gilda Martin, and receptionist Esteban Grassi were dropped in February 2025.
The Defamation Lawsuit Against Liam's Father
Amid the legal drama, Nores filed a defamation lawsuit against Liam’s father, Geoff Payne, in January 2025. In the lawsuit, Nores accused Geoff of making false and damaging statements about his role in Liam's death. The suit, which seeks damages exceeding $10 million, includes a pledge to donate any financial proceeds to Liam’s son, Bear.
Liam's Family Responds to the Media Attention
Liam's family expressed their grief over his tragic passing and condemned the media's relentless coverage of the incident. In a statement issued on March 3, they addressed the toll the media attention had taken, particularly on Liam’s young son. "The constant media attention and speculation has caused indescribable, lasting damage on the family, particularly on Liam's son," they stated.
The family also acknowledged the investigation into Liam's death, stating, “We accept the Court of Appeal’s decision to drop all charges” and reiterated their desire for privacy as they mourn.
