The death of Liam Payne in October 2024 left a massive hole in the hearts of millions. It was one of those moments where time just kind of stopped. But while fans were mourning, a complicated legal battle was brewing in Buenos Aires. You've likely seen the headlines about a Liam Payne friend charged in connection to that tragic afternoon at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
Honestly, the whole situation was a mess. It wasn't just about the loss of a pop icon; it was about who was with him in those final, chaotic hours. The name that kept popping up was Rogelio "Roger" Nores. He’s an Argentinian businessman who had become a fixture in Liam's life during his final months.
The Initial Charges That Shocked Everyone
In December 2024, the Argentinian National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office made a move that felt like a bombshell. They charged three people with "abandonment of a person followed by death" and "negligent homicide."
One of those people was Roger Nores.
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The prosecution’s argument was pretty heavy. They claimed Nores had a "duty of care" because he was acting as Liam’s de facto manager or representative during the trip. They basically accused him of walking away and leaving Liam in a state of "vulnerability and helplessness" knowing he was struggling with substance issues. Specifically, they noted he left the hotel about 50 minutes before the fatal fall.
At the same time, two hotel employees—Gilda Martin and Esteban Grassi—were also facing manslaughter-style charges. Why? Because they allegedly helped "drag" an intoxicated Liam to his room instead of calling a doctor. It sounded like a scene out of a nightmare.
Why the Case Against Roger Nores Fell Apart
Fast forward to February 2025. Everything changed.
An Argentinian appeals court took a long, hard look at the evidence and decided to drop the charges against Nores and the two hotel staffers. It was a massive turn of events. Basically, the court ruled that Nores didn't have a legal obligation to be Liam's "babysitter."
The judges pointed out something really important: addiction is a monster. They noted that even if Nores had stayed in the room, it wouldn't have guaranteed that Liam wouldn't have found a way to get substances. It’s a harsh reality, but it’s one anyone who has dealt with addiction knows too well.
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Nores actually broke his silence after being cleared. He told Reuters that he was just a "dear friend" and that he’d even emailed Liam's family months earlier, practically begging for him to go to rehab. He described the whole thing as just a "chain of events" and "bad luck."
Who is Still Facing the Music?
While the Liam Payne friend charged with manslaughter was cleared, the legal story isn't over. Two other men are still very much in the crosshairs of the Argentinian justice system.
- Braian Nahuel Paiz: A waiter who met Liam at a restaurant.
- Ezequiel David Pereyra: A former hotel employee.
These two are facing serious drug supply charges. Prosecutors allege they were the ones who actually put the cocaine into Liam's hands. Unlike the manslaughter charges, these drug-related offenses carry much heavier weight—up to 15 years in prison. As of early 2026, these cases are still moving toward trial.
The Defamation Battle and the 2026 Inquest
The fallout hasn't just been in the criminal courts. Roger Nores actually turned around and sued Liam’s father, Geoff Payne, for defamation. He claimed that the statements Geoff made to authorities were false and had ruined his reputation to the tune of $10 million. It’s a messy, sad layer to an already devastating story.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, the final inquest into Liam's death has been delayed until later in 2026. The Senior Coroner in Buckinghamshire is still waiting for the full mountain of evidence from Argentina—witness statements, tox reports, and hotel security footage.
What This Means for How We View Celebrity Tragedy
When a celebrity dies, we always want someone to blame. It's human nature to look for a villain. But as the Argentinian courts eventually decided, the line between "friendship" and "legal responsibility" is incredibly thin.
Nores argued he was doing his best to help a friend who didn't want to be helped at that moment. The prosecution saw it as abandonment. In the end, the law sided with the idea that you can't be held criminally liable for the choices of another adult, even if those choices are heartbreaking.
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Actionable Takeaways for Following the Case
If you're still following the developments, here is what to keep an eye on as we move through 2026:
- Watch the Drug Supply Trials: The trials for Paiz and Pereyra will be the only ones likely to result in actual prison time. This is where the specific details of how substances entered the hotel will finally come out.
- UK Inquest Timing: Keep an eye on May 2026. That is when the next pre-inquest review is scheduled in the UK. This is where the official "how and why" will be permanently recorded for the public record.
- Verify Your Sources: The "Liam Payne friend charged" narrative has changed significantly since the 2024 arrests. If you see people still claiming Nores is facing prison for manslaughter, they are working with outdated info. The charges were officially dropped in February 2025.
- Support for the Family: Remember that behind the legal jargon are grieving sisters and a father who has spent months in a foreign country trying to get justice. The civil suits between Nores and the family are likely to be settled out of public view.