Liam Payne update as friend has all charges dropped following singer's tragic death

An update has been shared in the case of Roger Nores - the friend of Liam Payne who was recently arrested and charged in connection with the One Direction star's death.

Payne was just 31-years-old when he died after falling from the third floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel in Argentina in October last year.

The father-of-one - who shared seven-year-old son Bear with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole - had been attending the tour of his former bandmate Niall Horan at the time.

It was ruled that Payne has died due to multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.

Five individuals were subsequently arrested over their alleged involvement in the star's death - including the hotel's manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne's friend, Rogelio 'Roger' Nores.

Martin and Grassi were charged with manslaughter for allegedly carrying the half-conscious singer back to his hotel room, hours prior to his fall, whilst Nores was dealt a negligent homicide charge.

Two other individuals - hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz - were charged with supplying cocaine to the singer, as per PA.

Now, in a newly-released court update obtained by Rolling Stone, it has been revealed that Nores, Martin and Grassi have been exonerated of the charges brought against them.

Nores - who had been in Argentina prior to his death - previously maintained that he'd left the singer on his own at the hospitality venue on the day he died, and that he didn't supply him with any drugs or alcohol.

Four members of hotel staff were arrested after Payne died (LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

He added that he'd reached out to Payne's family in the days prior out of concern for his wellbeing.

Argentina’s Court of Appeals has now ruled that he, Martin and Grassi played no part in the musician's death.

"It is possible that, if he had stayed in his company at all times, [Payne] would not have obtained the drugs and alcohol in the quantities necessary for the state of intoxication he exhibited at the time of his death," the ruling states of Nores' exoneration.

"But it cannot be ruled out that, even if he had taken those extreme precautions… that [Payne] would have managed to obtain the substances anyway, as is common among addicts, even when they are under the loving care of their family."

The court filing continues: "Despite accusing Nores of failing to communicate and raise alarms with the victim’s family, they remained silent about the email through which the accused had expressed his concerns and warned that he would not be able to look after Payne’s health."

Following the acquittal, Nores told press: "Glad this is finally over. I’m happy I’m now going to be able to travel to the UK and say goodbye to my friend."

Liam Payne died in October 2024, aged 31 (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

The court also ruled that Martin and Grassi did not act in a 'thoughtless, reckless, or merely negligent behaviour', and therefore played no part in Payne's death.

The judge noted that he did not want to damage 'the good name and honour' of the trio.

Pereyra and Paiz, however - who stand accused of having supplied Payne with drugs, several of which were found in his toxicology report - are to remain jailed until their trial later this year.

Paiz previously spoke about the allegations that had been brought against him, claiming in November that he'd the chart-topper twice prior to his death, and confessed to taking drugs with Payne on these occasions.

He insisted, however, that he didn't supply the singer with narcotics in exchange for money.

The pair could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of involvement in the singer's death - on top of a $4,900 fine for Paiz.