Liam Payne’s friend has filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against the late singer’s father.
Liam Payne passed away on October 16. Credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty
The One Direction superstar tragically passed away at just 31 years old on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Authorities were alerted to the scene following reports of “an aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol,” per Daily Mail.
Upon arrival, officers were informed by the hotel manager of a loud noise in the inner courtyard. Investigators then discovered that Payne had fallen from his room’s balcony.
The late star’s death has been officially attributed to “polytrauma,” reports The Mirror US.
Payne’s friend is suing the late singer’s father. Credit: Anadolu / Getty
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Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, one of five individuals charged in connection with Payne’s death, now alleges that the star’s father, Geoff, made “false” declarations to Argentine officials.
According to a report from the BBC, Nores claims that these declarations “contained material omissions, and many parts were not based on personal knowledge”.
The specific statements under scrutiny involve Geoff’s testimony to an Argentine prosecutor on October 22 and October 26. In his account, the father said that he was only able to communicate with his son through Nores and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.
He also claimed that Nores “had full responsibility for Liam’s care” after making himself “entirely available” to the late singer, per Rolling Stone.
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Nores denies these assertions in the lawsuit – which was filed this week in Florida. He is seeking damages of $10 million.
The man claimed that Geoff’s statements impacted his reputation in “mega proportions with extensive damages,” adding that the father “needs to backtrack on his [sworn] statement as he very well knows I wasn’t Liam’s nurse or caretaker”.
Nores also added in the 263-page document that his relationship with the ‘Strip That Down’ singer was one of genuine friendship: “Liam, who I miss every day, was my dear friend and an independent, brilliant, respectful free man who did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.”
In addition to this, the filing states that Geoff’s alleged defamatory remarks were accessible in Palm Beach County, causing harm to Nores in that jurisdiction.
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Nores also revealed his intent to donate all “net financial proceeds of the judicial proceedings” to Payne’s son, Bear, whom the late star shared with ex-girlfriend Cheryl.
Geoff Payne, father of Liam Payne, visited a memorial in tribute to former One Direction singer Liam Payne outside Casa Sur Hotel. Credit: Marcos Brindicci / Getty
According to Rolling Stone, Nores sent a defamation retraction letter to Geoff’s attorneys on January 8. However, Payne’s estate responded just two days later, refusing to retract the statements and accusing the man of attempting to interfere with an ongoing investigation.
In their response, the estate said: “The Estate could not take this matter more seriously. It has therefore taken the decision to support [Geoff] in this matter. [Geoff] denies, in the strongest possible terms, that he has defamed or otherwise caused any harm to your client (in the manner set out by your correspondence of 8 January 2025 or otherwise).”
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Additionally, Payne’s estate indicated plans to notify Argentine authorities of Nores “seeking to interfere with a police investigation by
