A close associate of the late Liam Payne has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the singer’s father, following charges related to Payne’s death.
In October 2024, news broke that former One Direction member Liam Payne had passed away while staying at the CasaSur Palemero hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It is reported that Payne, aged 31, and his partner Kate Cassidy, 25, had traveled to Argentina to support his former bandmate Niall Horan on tour prior to his untimely death.
Payne was reportedly residing on the third floor of the hotel when he fell from his balcony into the interior courtyard at approximately 17:07 local time (21:07 BST).
Following an investigation and a post-mortem examination, it was determined that he died from ‘multiple traumas’ and ‘internal and external haemorrhage’, identified as ‘polytrauma’.
In December, it was disclosed that five individuals were charged in connection with the singer’s death, including two hotel employees and Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, who was alleged to be a friend of Payne.
News.com.au reported that Nores left the hotel about an hour before Payne’s fall.
Immediately following Payne’s death, his father, Geoff Payne, traveled to Argentina to inspect his son’s hotel room and balcony.
Currently, Geoff Payne is named in a US defamation lawsuit filed by Nores, alleging that he provided false information to the authorities.
Nores, facing charges of manslaughter by Argentinian prosecutors for allegedly abandoning Payne and neglecting care responsibilities, claims in a complaint filed Wednesday, January 15, that Payne’s father made statements to Argentine officials that were ‘false, contained material omissions, and many parts were not based on personal knowledge’.
Nores further argues that it is incorrect to assert that he and Payne’s girlfriend were caretakers for Payne ‘due to his addictions’, according to the lawsuit.
The filing also claims misrepresentation of his relationship with the singer, asserting they had a ‘dear mutual friendship’ and that he ‘never had a legal duty of care’.
The documents state: “Liam was an independent adult person who made all his own decisions.”
Nores claims that the assertions made by Payne’s father have significantly damaged his reputation, causing ‘extensive damages’.
Nores told Rolling Stone yesterday (January 16): “Geoff needs to backtrack on his [sworn] statement as he very well knows I wasn’t Liam’s nurse or caretaker. 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.”
The lawsuit also states that any ‘net financial proceeds’ will be donated to Bear, Payne’s son with Cheryl, a member of the girl band Girls Aloud.
Senior Coroner Crispin Butler commented during the hearing: “Whilst there are ongoing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances of Liam’s death, over which I have no legal jurisdiction, it is anticipated that procuring the relevant information to address particularly how Liam came by his death may take some time through the formal channel of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”