Five charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death – including close friend
Five people have been charged in connection with the death of One Direction star Liam Payne at a hotel in Argentina, according to reports from Argentinian newspaper Infobae.
Among those charged is Payne’s friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, who has been accused of negligent homicide.
Two hotel staff members have been remanded in custody, with hotel managers Gilda Martín and Esteban Grassi facing manslaughter charges.
Braian Paiz, a waiter, and CasaSur employee Ezequiel Pereyra have been charged with supplying narcotics for payment.
All five individuals have been summoned to appear in court following the singer’s death at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16.
According to police investigations, Braian Paiz and Ezequiel Pereyra could face up to 15 years in prison for the charges of supplying narcotics for payment.
Paiz had previously admitted to taking marijuana and cocaine with the singer during meetings at the hotel, though he later denied supplying drugs or accepting money.
Pereyra, 21, is suspected of delivering drugs to Payne in a Dove soap box but has not made any public comment since being placed under investigation.
Hotel chief receptionist Grassi claimed Payne had repeatedly called down requesting alcohol and cocaine, allegedly becoming hostile when staff refused to assist.
Text messages were also uncovered showing Payne had offered £3,900 to an escort to “party”.
A psychiatrist had reportedly warned Nores about the risks of mixing antidepressants with alcohol while supporting Payne’s mental health.
The One Direction star died aged 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires.
Tests revealed Payne had consumed alcohol and cocaine before his death, with traces of antidepressants also found in his system.
Prosecutors have ruled out suicide as a cause of death, stating Payne was in a state of “semi or total unconsciousness” when he fell.
A tourist, Bret Watson, who witnessed the fall, told TMZ the tragedy would remain “burned into his brain.”
Shortly before his death, Payne was photographed being carried back to his room from the hotel lobby by three men, reportedly including hotel manager Grassi.
The image has led to speculation in Argentine media that the investigation could develop into a broader manslaughter probe.
Nores, who met Payne in 2020, has strongly denied any responsibility for the singer’s death.
In a statement last month, he said: “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.”
He added: “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left.”
Speaking to a TMZ documentary, Nores claimed Payne was “in good spirits and perfectly balanced” on the day he died.
The businessman rejected accusations he had abandoned his friend or acted as his manager.
“I gave my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness,” Nores stated. “I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend.”
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Prosecutors have detailed findings from their investigation, stating two proven instances of cocaine supply to Payne during his hotel stay.
They specifically noted that one hotel employee was responsible for two cocaine deliveries, while another dealer supplied the drug twice on October 14.
The investigation confirmed Payne was in an altered state when he fell, with prosecutors stating he “didn’t know what he was doing” at the time.
Tests revealed a combination of substances in his system, including cocaine, alcohol, and antidepressants.
Hotel managers Grassi and Martin, who were among those seen carrying Payne to his room before his fall, have not made public comments since being named as suspects.
Grassi, who served as chief receptionist, made an emergency 911 call moments before the singer’s death.