Newly-unveiled documents reveal the extent of the former One Direction singer's severe drug addiction and the circumstances leading up to his fatal fall.
- December 20, 2024
AceShowbiz - According to a 91-page filing obtained by Rolling Stone, Roger Nores, a friend of Liam Payne, has detailed the singer's severe drug abuse, which he claims played a significant role in his death. Nores, who is facing a charge of abandonment followed by death, alleges that Payne was addicted to heroin and suffered near-death experiences multiple times in the months leading up to his fatal fall in October.
Nores claims that Payne was hospitalized twice in London in late 2023 due to severe intoxication and had to be resuscitated on both occasions. In September 2023, Payne allegedly suffered a near-fatal intoxication in Milan, resulting in a three-day hospitalization and the cancellation of his Latin American tour.
Despite attending rehab centers, Payne's addiction worsened, and he entered a facility in Spain in March 2024. However, he left the center before completing treatment and returned to consuming drugs, Nores alleges. In April 2024, Payne suffered another near overdose and had to be resuscitated again.
Nores claims that Payne's father attempted to admit him to a psychiatric treatment center, but Payne opposed the idea. He then returned to the United States to seek help for his addiction. According to Nores, Payne's family and friends allowed him to use drugs the day before his departure to avoid violence.
Despite Nores' claims, Payne is reported to have been sober during a trip to Argentina that summer. However, in August, Nores observed signs that Payne had started using drugs again. In an email to Payne's attorney and father, Nores expressed concern for his well-being and requested professional medical assistance.
On October 16, Payne died at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires. A toxicology report revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine and a prescribed antidepressant in his system.
Nores maintains that he left Payne at the hotel the day he died because he was greeting fans and appeared to be doing well. He blames the hotel staff for carrying Payne's body to his room, where the risk of death was higher.
The investigating judge will determine whether to proceed with the prosecution of Nores and the other four people charged in the case, based on the evidence presented in the indagatorias.
