Liam Payne's 'close friend' who said he was 'doing fine' before death can be charged with 'abandonment'
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: It seems Liam Payne’s tragic saga isn’t over just yet.
One of the people closest to him during his final hours, Rogelio 'Roger' Nores, is still under scrutiny. According to TMZ, prosecutors in Argentina are moving full steam ahead with their investigation into Roger’s alleged role in the ex One Direction star’s untimely death.
Prosecutors are digging deeper into cause of Liam Payne's death
Legal documents obtained by TMZ reveal that a judge has officially cleared the way for Argentina's national prosecutors to keep investigating Nores, despite him insisting that he wasn’t involved. For now, Roger isn’t going anywhere - authorities have seized his passport to ensure he remains in Argentina while this case unfolds.
But let’s rewind a bit. On that heartbreaking day at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, Nores reportedly told police Liam was “doing fine” when he left him around 4 pm. However, prosecutors paint a much darker picture of what went down during Liam’s final hours.
TMZ broke the harrowing details: Liam started his day with whiskey for breakfast, followed by hours of heavy drinking. He allegedly hired two prostitutes, used cocaine, and caused such a scene that hotel employees had to escort him back to his room. Just minutes later, he fell to his death from the third-floor balcony.
The toxicology report confirms Liam had alcohol, cocaine, and an anti-depressant in his system during the last 72 hours of his life. While the autopsy determined his death was due to “polytraumatisms” and internal and external hemorrhaging from the fall, prosecutors have ruled out self-harm or any physical intervention by others.
Roger Nores speaks out amid probe into Liam Payne's death
Roger Nores has fiercely denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to the Daily Mail last month, he dismissed claims that his home in Buenos Aires was raided and clarified his relationship with Liam. “I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened,” he told the outlet.
Nores recounted that when he left the hotel, “there were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him.” He added, “I could have never imagined something like this would happen. I've given my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven't spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since."
He also maintained that he was merely a close friend, not Liam’s manager. “I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend. I’ve been heartbroken with this tragedy, and I’ve been missing my friend every day.”
Prosecutors targeting more suspects in Liam Payne's death
Roger Nores isn’t the only one in the hot seat. Prosecutors are reportedly going after two additional suspects accused of supplying Liam with drugs. The investigation, led by prosecutor Andrés Esteban Madrea, has unearthed evidence of “unlawful conduct” surrounding Liam’s death.
The prosecutor’s statement outlined the steps taken to piece together what happened.
They reportedly analyzed over 800 hours of CCTV footage. Dozens of statements were taken from hotel staff, Liam’s family, friends, and medical professionals. Liam’s phone, guest registry, bar orders, and restaurant tabs were also meticulously reviewed. Furthermore, extensive thanatological and laboratory studies were conducted during the autopsy.
One of the most chilling conclusions from the investigation was that Liam might have fallen while in a “state of semi-or-total unconsciousness,” likely influenced by his substance use.
Prosecutors have so far charged three individuals with “abandonment of a person followed by death” and the “supply and facilitation of narcotics," the Daily Mail reported.
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