In a dramatic turn of events, the friend of late One Direction star Liam Payne, Roger Nores, along with two employees from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Argentina, have been cleared of manslaughter charges related to the singer’s tragic death.
The decision was made by Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Court following a hearing on February 19, 2025.
Nores, Gilda Martin, and Esteban Grassi were initially charged in December 2024, facing potential prison sentences of one to five years if convicted. However, the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove they were responsible for Payne’s death.
The judges noted that even if Nores had stayed with Payne constantly, it was unlikely he could have prevented the singer from obtaining the substances that contributed to his intoxication, a common challenge faced by those struggling with addiction.
Liam Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the hotel. His toxicology report revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system at the time of death. Meanwhile, two other individuals, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, remain in custody, accused of supplying Payne with drugs and awaiting trial.
Roger Nores expressed relief over the dismissal of charges, stating, “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.”
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