Liam Payne's friend Roger Nores claims singer was 'happy' and 'joking around' an hour before tragic death

Liam Payne's pal Roger Nores was accused of abandoning the singer before his fatal fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina
UPDATED DEC 15, 2024
Liam Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina on October 16 (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Liam Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina on October 16 (Karwai Tang/WireImage)

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Roger Nores, an Argentine businessman and close friend of Liam Payne, has made startling new claims regarding the pop star’s final hours.

In an exclusive revelation for an upcoming TMZ documentary, Nores insists that Payne appeared "happy" and "perfectly balanced" just an hour before the tragedy.

Inside Liam Payne's tragic death

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Liam Payne visits the Kiss FM Studio's on September 03, 2019 in Lond
Liam Payne visits the Kiss FM Studio on September 3, 2019, in London (Getty Images)

The music world was stunned on October 16 as news broke of Liam Payne's tragic death.

The former One Direction star reportedly fell from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with his ex-partner, singer Cheryl Cole.

Since early October, the 'Teardrops' singer had been in Buenos Aires, where he was seen attending a concert by his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan at the Movistar Arena with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.

Police and firefighters work the scene at Casa Sur hotel where former One Direction member Liam Payne reportedly died on October 16, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to the Buenos Aires police department, Payne fell from the window of the hotel he was staying at in the Palermo neighborhood, one of the most well-known areas in Buenos Aires. (Photo by Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty Images)
Police and firefighters work the scene at Casa Sur hotel where former One Direction member Liam Payne reportedly died on October 16, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Getty Images)

This visit marked his first public appearance in Argentina in several years, according to People.

His death left fans and loved ones reeling, with speculation swirling about his state of mind in the moments leading up to the incident.

Roger Nores claims Liam Payne was 'playful and happy' before death



 

Contrary to reports suggesting Liam Payne was intoxicated or in distress, Roger Nores paints a picture of a calm and playful Liam.

During an interview with TMZ’s Harvey Levin, Nores said, “I left around 4.05 am. He was in good spirits, joking around, talking to a group of Americans who were there for a wedding.

"Nothing seemed out of the ordinary,” he shared, reiterating, “He seemed fine. Playful and happy.”

Nores also dismissed allegations that he had “abandoned” Payne, emphasizing that he visited the hotel three times to check on him that morning.

While admitting that Payne appeared “tipsy,” he maintained that it was “nothing out of the ordinary,” according to OK!

Liam Payne's family laments for 'kind and brave soul'

Liam Payne attends the star-studded Sake Ceremony hosted by Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper to inaugurate the Grand Opening of Nobu Dubai, at Atlantis The Palm, on January 20, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)
Liam Payne attends the star-studded Sake Ceremony hosted by Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper to inaugurate the Grand Opening of Nobu Dubai on January 20, 2023 in Dubai, UAE (Getty Images)

Liam Payne's grieving family released a heartfelt statement following the tragedy.

“We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul," the family stated. "We ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

The upcoming documentary 'TMZ Investigates: Liam Payne: Who's to Blame?' is expected to delve deeper into the star’s final hours, aiming to shed light on the tragedy.

The documentary is set to air on Monday night, December 16, at 8.00 pm ET on FOX.

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