Singer Liam Payne was just 31 years old when he died tragically in October 2024. Reports indicate that the former One Direction member had a cocktail of illegal drugs in his system when he fell from the third-floor balcony of his Argentina hotel. Three months later, a friend charged in Payne’s death has accused the late singer’s father of smearing his name in a new lawsuit.
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Roger Nores Is Facing Charges in Death of Liam Payne
Argentinian prosecutors initially charged close friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores and two hotel employees with manslaughter in connection with Liam Payne’s fatal fall that October night. Rolling Stone reports that a judge lowered those charges to wrongful death in late December.
While the judge does not believe that the trio “planned and wanted Payne’s death,” they still “created a legally disapproved risk,” according to documents.
Two others, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of selling c*caine to the “Teardrops” singer.
[RELATED: Suspect in Liam Payne’s Tragic Death Breaks Silence]
Now, Nores is accusing the late star’s father, Geoff Payne, of “extensively damaging” his reputation by mischaracterizing his role in Liam’s life. In a new federal lawsuit filed in Florida Wednesday (Jan. 15), Nores seeks more than $10 million in damages for ““false, misleading” statements. The Argentinian tycoon further claims that Geoff Payne omitted information in “sworn declarations.”
Nores has vowed to donate “all net financial proceeds of the judicial proceedings for the benefit of Liam Payne’s son,” Bear, 7.
Liam’s Estate Declines to Retract Statements
The lawsuit stems from statements Geoff made to officials in late October. Liam Payne’s father told an Argentine prosecutor that he only communicated with his son through Nores and Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy. He claimed that Nores “had full responsibility for Liam’s care” after making himself “entirely available” to the “For You” singer.
“Geoff needs to backtrack on his [sworn] statement as he very well knows I wasn’t Liam’s nurse or caretaker,” Nores told Rolling Stone Thursday. “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.”
Nores maintains that he never agreed to act as caretaker for Liam Payne, and in fact had no legal duty to him at all, as the two were simply “dear friends.” He claims he sent a demand defamation retraction letter to Geoff’s attorneys on Jan. 8.
In a response dated Jan. 10, attorneys wrote, “[Geoff] denies, in the strongest possible terms, that he has defamed or otherwise caused any harm to your client (in the manner set out by your correspondence of 8 January 2025 or otherwise).”
Featured image by VICTOR AUBRY/SIPA/Shutterstock
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