Liam Payne’s friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores is accusing the CasaSur Palermo Hotel of playing a part in the singer’s death.
According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Nores filed a complaint stating that the Argentina hotel should be included in the investigation into Payne’s death, claiming the hotel didn’t properly provide safety for Payne during his stay.
“A world-famous person was staying with obvious signs of being going through a crisis caused by drug intake at that very moment, and they did not even make an effort there to make up for their legal omission of having a 24-hour doctor,” the docs read, per TMZ.
Nores alleged that the hotel manager was aware Payne was intoxicated and claimed a doctor should have been present at the establishment from the time he checked in. He further accused the hotel’s staff of doing nothing to help Payne and said the hotel’s manager left Payne alone in his room before his fatal fall.
Everything to Know About Liam Payne’s Death Investigation
Us Weekly confirmed on October 16 that Payne died at age 31 after falling from his third-floor hotel balcony. Nores claimed Payne was attempting to flee the hotel at the time of his fall because he was carrying a hat and bag.
A preliminary autopsy revealed that Payne died of “multiple traumas,” including hemorrhages in his chest, skull, limbs and abdomen, and that he “may have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness.” Payne reportedly had multiple drugs in his system at the time of his death, but the incident was not ruled a suicide. (Argentinian journalist Paula Varela reported that security footage from the hotel shows Payne falling from the balcony as a result of fainting.)
Last month, Nores and two others were charged with abandonment leading to death and the supply and facilitation of narcotics in connection to Payne’s death. “I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened,” Nores told the Daily Mail in a November 7 statement. “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.”
TMZ reported on Tuesday, December 3, that a judge is allowing Argentina national prosecutors to continue their investigation into Nores’ role in Payne’s death. Nores’ team, however, filed documents of their own stating that his case should instead be handled by Buenos Aires local prosecutors.
Suspect in Liam Payne’s Death Denies Supplying Singer With Drugs
Payne was laid to rest during a private funeral in Amersham, England, on November 20. The service was attended by the star’s family and friends, as well as his former One Direction bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
