Liam Payne’s Friend Roger Norore Withdraws $10 Million Slander Lawsuit Against Late Singer’s Father

Friend Drops Lawsuit

Roger Norore, a friend of the late pop star Liam Payne, has voluntarily withdrawn the lawsuit for defamation against the singer’s father, Jeff Payne.

• Read more: Liam Payne 1993-2024

Tragic Death Circumstances

Payne tragically passed away on October 16 last year after a fatal fall from the third-floor balcony at the Casasur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An investigation by the Argentine prosecutor’s office later determined that the 31-year-old’s death was due to multiple injuries and internal and external bleeding.

In the aftermath of Payne’s death, five individuals were arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Among those detained were Nores and two employees from the Casasur Palermo hotel, Gilda Martin and Esteban Grassie. All three were acquitted of charges earlier this year.

Earlier this year, Nores had filed a federal defamation lawsuit in Florida, claiming that Jeff Payne referred to media interest in his son’s death as “indescribable, long-lasting damage to the family,” and stated in an oath to Buenos Aires police that he bore “full responsibility for Liam’s well-being.”

Nores denied allegations made in the initial lawsuit, clarifying that while they were “dear friends,” he was “never a guardian of Liam.” He claimed the statements in the jury were defamatory and resulted in damages exceeding $10 million (8.1 million pounds).

He further emphasized that any monetary compensation he received from the lawsuit would be dedicated to his son, Liam, a bear. However, as of today (April 9), Katya Stone reported that he requested the court to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit. TMZ indicated that Nores intends to reject the lawsuit without prejudice, allowing the possibility of re-filing in the future.

Continuing Legal Battles

Nores discussed his friendship with Payne in a March interview with Reuters. Along with his lawyer, he addressed the singer’s struggles with substance dependence, stating: “You do what you can, but at the end of the day, it’s their decision. You begin to see a chain of events, and it just turned out to be a tragedy.”

Meanwhile, last month, a panel of judges rejected an appeal to overturn the acquittal of Nores and the two hotel workers.

The appeal, submitted on March 5, argued that there were flaws in the reasoning of the original decision and that some evidence was not considered during the acquittal. The judges firmly maintained their ruling, stating that the appeal “lacks the necessary merit to continue.” Prosecutors who appealed are now reportedly taking the case to the Supreme Court for further examination.

Of the five initial suspects arrested in connection with Payne’s death, the two remaining individuals—Jeskel Pereira and Brian Payz—are still in custody awaiting trial. They face accusations related to Payne’s drug use, with substances found in his system post-mortem.

In November, Payz broke his silence, admitting to having met the One Direction singer twice before his death, claiming they had consumed drugs together. However, he insisted he never supplied drugs to Payne or accepted any payment from him. Both Payz and Pereira could face 4 to 15 years in prison if convicted, with Payz also facing a potential fine of $4,900.