Liam Payne’s Friend Cleared of All Criminal Charges in Investigation Into Singer’s Death

After months of investigation, Argentine businessman Roger Nores has officially been cleared of all criminal charges related to the death of Liam Payne. The latest ruling from Argentina’s judicial authorities marks a significant turning point in the high-profile case that has drawn global attention since the former One Direction member passed away in late 2024.

Liam Payne died at the age of 31 after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Following the incident, local authorities launched an extensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death and whether anyone could be held legally responsible for the events leading up to the tragedy.

Roger Nores, 38, CEO of Stoneway Capital Corp., was among those investigated. He was initially charged with manslaughter, but that accusation was dismissed last year. However, he remained under investigation over allegations that he had supplied drugs to Liam between June of last year and April of this year.

According to court documents, investigators examined Roger Nores’ electronic devices after discovering a message on Liam Payne’s phone requesting “six grams.” The records indicate that Roger never responded to the message, and authorities found no evidence proving that he had provided the singer with illegal substances.

A panel of three judges unanimously upheld an earlier ruling, concluding that Liam Payne had been free to make his own decisions regarding drug use and that Roger Nores could not be held responsible for those personal choices. Prosecutors also confirmed that they would not appeal the decision, officially clearing Roger of any criminal wrongdoing in the case.

Following the ruling, defense attorney Rafael Cúneo Libarona stated: “There is no chance that Nores will be brought back into the case. The court was clear in its ruling that cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.”

He further added: “Roger never had the duty of caring for Payne, much less caring for his addictions. He was not Liam’s guarantor. He was his friend, not his physician, nurse, or therapist.”

While Roger Nores has now been fully exonerated, the investigation itself is not yet over. Two other men continue to face charges for allegedly selling cocaine to Liam Payne. They are restaurant waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz, 26, and hotel employee Ezequiel David Pereyra, 22.

Court records show that both men spent more than a year in police and federal prison custody before being released in March. Their legal teams are currently discussing a possible plea agreement with prosecutors. If accepted, the charges could be reduced to supplying drugs free of charge, an offense carrying a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

Augusto Maria Cassiau, attorney for Ezequiel David Pereyra, commented: “We would be inclined to accept the offer.”

Liam Payne’s death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and devastated fans around the world. Before the fatal incident, the singer had traveled to Argentina to attend a concert by his close friend and former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan. Images of Liam in Buenos Aires during his final days quickly spread across social media following the tragedy.

Born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1993, Liam Payne first gained public attention after auditioning for the British television competition The X Factor in 2010. Although he did not advance as a solo contestant, judges brought him together with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan to form One Direction—a decision that would ultimately reshape the landscape of modern pop music.

From 2010 to 2016, One Direction became one of the most successful boy bands of all time, releasing chart-topping albums including Up All Night, Take Me Home, Midnight Memories, Four, and Made in the A.M.. The group sold tens of millions of records worldwide, embarked on sold-out international tours, and built one of the largest fan bases in contemporary music.

Following the group’s hiatus, Liam Payne pursued a solo career. In 2017, he released the hit single Strip That Down featuring Quavo, which became an international success and established him as a solo artist. He later released songs such as Bedroom Floor, Stack It Up, Familiar, and his debut album LP1 in 2019.

Beyond his music career, Liam frequently made headlines for his personal life. He was in a long-term relationship with singer Cheryl, with whom he welcomed their son, Bear, in 2017. Although the couple eventually separated, they continued to co-parent their child. In later years, Liam was also romantically linked to model Maya Henry. The couple became engaged but experienced multiple breakups before ending their relationship permanently.

Throughout several interviews, Liam Payne spoke candidly about the pressures of fame. He admitted to struggling with anxiety, periods of mental health challenges, and alcohol and substance abuse following One Direction’s meteoric rise to global stardom. The singer often said he had sought treatment and worked to improve his lifestyle in an effort to regain both his physical and mental well-being.

Liam Payne’s untimely passing left an immense void for his family, friends, and millions of fans worldwide. As the legal investigation unfolded, public attention remained focused on determining whether anyone else bore responsibility for the circumstances surrounding his death. With Roger Nores now officially cleared of all criminal charges, a major chapter of the case has come to a close, although legal proceedings against those accused of supplying drugs to Liam Payne are still ongoing under Argentine law.