Liam Payne's father reportedly tried to have him committed amid relapse before his death
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Liam Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, fought desperately to save his son from the grip of addiction, even attempting to have him committed to a psychiatric treatment center months before his untimely death at age 31.
As new details emerge about the 'One Direction star’s struggles, Geoff’s painful efforts to intervene paint a heartbreaking picture of a father who did everything in his power to protect his son, Daily Mail reported.
Liam Payne’s father's desperate plea
According to Rolling Stone, Geoff Payne’s attempts to safeguard Liam Payne intensified in April 2024, when the singer was hospitalized in a “serious condition.”
Already in a fragile state, Liam checked into a rehab facility in Spain that same month—the same time he released his final single, 'Teardrops'.
But he reportedly left the program early, before completing treatment.
What followed was a downward spiral. After relapsing in the weeks that followed, Geoff allegedly stepped in, urging his son to enter a psychiatric treatment center.
But Liam, battling substance abuse and personal demons, refused.
Concern over Liam’s well-being extended beyond his father. Even his team allegedly "balked" at the idea of him going on a South American tour, believing he was in “no shape to be on the road.”
His US label, Universal Republic, reportedly grew frustrated, citing his missed promotional appearances and concerns for his health.
A source told Rolling Stone, “It was decided by the label, given these factors combined with concerns for his health, to terminate the working relationship rather than further release music.”
By September 2024, Universal Republic had legally severed ties with Liam. Despite these challenges, those close to Liam believed he had turned a corner in late 2024.
The singer had retreated to a polo club in Wellington, Florida, where he spent his days drawing, songwriting, horseback riding, and playing polo.
Geoff himself recounted in a witness statement provided to Argentine prosecutors, “Liam was playing polo and looked good.” But behind the scenes, the battle was far from over.
Legal battles in the aftermath of tragedy
On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne tragically fell from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palmero hotel in Buenos Aires.
His death sent shockwaves through the world, and authorities soon charged American businessman Rogelio 'Roger' Nores—one of the last people to see Liam alive—with manslaughter.
Judge Laura Bruniard accused Nores of “abandoning him [Liam] to his luck knowing that he was incapable of fending for himself and knowing that he [Liam] suffered from multiple addictions.”
In addition to Nores, four others—including hotel staff—were also charged in connection with Liam’s death.
But now, the legal fallout has taken an unexpected turn. Nores has filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Geoff Payne, accusing him of making “misleading false and defamatory” statements that led to his arrest.
Rogelio Nores sues Geoff Payne over ‘false’ statements in manslaughter case
Reportedly, according to Rogelio Nores, Geoff Payne’s sworn statements to Buenos Aires authorities falsely implicated him.
Among the disputed claims, Geoff reportedly told police that Nores and Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, were responsible for the singer’s care. Nores refutes this, stating:
“While Liam was a dear friend, he never agreed to be and was never the caretaker of Liam and he did not have a legal duty to Liam.”
Geoff allegedly claimed that Nores took Liam to a new psychiatrist in Florida after his previous doctor, Dr Rhaidy, resigned. Nores insists:
“Liam and I never visited ‘another psychiatrist’ together… there was no ‘another psychiatrist’… Geoff’s statement is 100 percent fiction.”
Geoff reportedly stated that Liam “could not be left alone” and only had a phone through Kate or Nores. Nores argues otherwise:
“Liam was frequently on his own while he lived in Florida and always had his own phone, apart from a few days after it was broken during an argument with Kate.”
Nores’ lawyers are now demanding that Geoff retract and correct his statements.
“Defendant Geoff’s false Relevant Contents of the Two Sworn Declarations were and are the proximate cause of the Plaintiff’s injury and damages including damage to Plaintiff’s reputation,” the lawsuit states.
Nores maintains that all net financial proceeds from the lawsuit will be donated to Liam’s son, Bear.
