
Liam Payne
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesThere is still potential for Liam Paynefriend, Rogelio “Roger” Noreswho will be charged with the investigation into the death of the late singer.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, December 3, a judge allowed Argentina’s national prosecutors to continue their investigation of Nores in Payne’s death. Norres could be charged with human abandonment resulting in death.
Norres previously claimed he was not charged. His lawyers filed documents stating that the case against Nores should be handled by local prosecutors in Buenos Aires, according to the publication.
Payne died at the age of 31 during a visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina in October. The former One Direction singer suffered a fatal fall from a hotel balcony on the third floor. An autopsy revealed that Payne suffered multiple injuries, including internal and external bleeding. He also had different ones drugs in his system including “pink cocaine” and crack.
On the day of Payne’s death, Norres saw the musician at the hotel before his fatal fall. Nores has denied that he had abandoned Paine.
“I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before it happened,” Norres said in a statement in November to Daily Mail. “There were over 15 people in the hotel lobby talking and joking with him when I left. I could never have imagined that something like this would happen.”
Since Payne’s death is under investigation by authorities, Norres said he gave a statement to the prosecutor after the incident and has not been in contact since that time.
“I haven’t spoken to a single police officer or prosecutor since,” Nores continued. “I wasn’t Liam’s manager; he was just a very dear friend of mine… I am truly devastated by this tragedy and miss my friend every day.’
Payne is survived by his parents, two older sisters and his 7-year-old son, Bear Gray, whom he shares with his ex Cheryl Cole.
Payne’s remains were transported from Argentina to England before the funeral. The service for Payne took place in November, where family and friends of the singer paid their respects. Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy and his ex One Direction bandmates attended the memorial in Amersham, England.
Three faces were accused in connection with Payne’s death, including a hotel employee and one of Payne’s companions. The suspects are charged with abandonment resulting in death and drug delivery and aiding and abetting.
Brian Nawell Pais was one of the suspects and he exclusively said Us Weekly that he plans to fully cooperate 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 personally saw and experienced firsthand.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).