There’s still potential for Liam Payne’s friend, Rogelio “Roger” Nores, to be charged in the late singer’s death investigation.
Recently, court documents obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, December 3 revealed that a judge has given Argentina’s national prosecutors the go-ahead to proceed with investigating Nores for Payne’s death. Nores could potentially face charges for abandoning a person leading to death.
Nores had previously asserted that he had not faced any charges. His legal team submitted documents arguing that any case against him should be handled by local Buenos Aires prosecutors, as reported by the outlet.
Payne tragically passed away at the age of 31 during his visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina in October. The former member of One Direction met his demise after suffering a fatal fall from a third-floor hotel balcony. An autopsy later confirmed that Payne had sustained multiple injuries, both internal and external, resulting in hemorrhaging. Additionally, toxicology reports showed the presence of various substances in his system, including “pink cocaine” and crack.
On the day of Payne’s death, Nores saw the musician at the hotel before his fatal fall. Nores has denied that he abandoned Payne.
“I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened,” Nores said in a November statement to the Daily Mail. “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen.”
As Payne’s death has been investigated by the authorities, Nores has shared that he gave a statement to the prosecutor following the incident and had not been in contact after that point.
“I haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since,” Nores continued. “I wasn’t Liam’s manager; he was just my very dear friend … I’m really heartbroken with this tragedy, and I’ve been missing my friend every day.”
Payne is survived by his parents, his two older sisters and his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey, whom he shared with ex Cheryl Cole.
Payne’s remains were transported from Argentina to England ahead of the funeral. The service for Payne took place in November, where the singer’s family and friends paid their respects. Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy and his former One Direction bandmates attended the memorial in Amersham, England.
Three individuals were charged in connection to Payne’s death including a hotel employee and one of Payne’s travel companions. The suspects were charged with abandonment leading to death and the supply and facilitation of narcotics.
Braian Nahuel Paiz was one of the suspects charged and he exclusively told Us Weekly that he plans to cooperate fully with the ongoing police investigation.
“I want to contribute everything: my phone, everything to the investigation,” Paiz said. “I have nothing that can harm me. … The other thing is to contribute what I saw personally and what I experienced firsthand.”
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