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Who is Roger Nores? Liam Payne’s ‘pal & manager’ has £40k seized over singer’s death & is BANNED from leaving Argentina
Roger has insisted he did not abandon Liam, describing the singer as 'playful, happy and fine' on the day he died
ROGELIO "Roger" Nores, friend of Liam Payne, is allegedly being held under a travel ban and has had thousands of pounds worth of assets seized.
The multimillionaire was reportedly charged yesterday with negligent homicide, the Spanish equivalent to manslaughter, over Liam's tragic death in October.
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Nores, a 35-year old businessman, was linked to Liam in recent years both personally and professionally and was with him on the day that he died.
They reportedly first met in 2020 at a dinner hosted by the former editor of British Vogue, with Nores later supporting Liam with his addiction battle.
He claims he left the CasaSur Palermo hotel around an hour before the singer's death on October 16.
Earlier this month he reportedly refused to answer questions over Liam's fall and denied claims he abandoned his friend before tragedy struck.
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Nores - who dated singer Lula Mirandok - rose to fame in 2017 when he was featured in a Forbes "30 Under 30" list for his work in the energy industry.
The Sun previously reported that Roger was heading up Liam's career as his de facto manager and resigned in early 2024 over a deal with Los Angeles-based talent agency CAA.
Nores has been subject to claims that he worked as Liam's "de facto" manager - which he strongly denies.
He said after Liam's death: "I could have never imagined something like this would happen.
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"I gave my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven't spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since.
"I wasn't Liam's manager. He was just my very dear friend."
Toxicology exams revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescribed antidepressants’ were present in Liam's body at the time of death.
Shortly before he died, he was seen "behaving erratically", and witnesses claimed he had to be carried back to his room after smashing his laptop.
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Nores has denied claims that he left his friend alone during this time and insisted in a bombshell interview just weeks ago that Liam was "playful, happy and fine" when he left.
The businessman told : "He was in good spirits, he was talking to 10 or 15 Americans that were here for a wedding.
"He was perfectly balanced, talking to everybody, having fun, laughing, so nothing out of the ordinary. So that's when I said, 'bye'."
Earlier reports suggested Nores was the person accused of "abandonment of a person followed by death", as announced by Argentinian public prosecutors.
It carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison under Argentinian law.
It was revealed on Sunday that he had been charged with negligent homicide alongside four other people charged in connection with Liam's death.
Former hotel waiter Braian Paiz is one of those charged in connection with the fatal fall - after allegedly admitting to doing drugs with Liam.
He has been charged with supplying narcotics for payment, alongside hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra also charged with supplying drugs, Argentinian outlet reports.
The pair were detained ahead of trial with Judge Laura Bruniard giving them 24 business hours to appear in court.
Paiz, 24, and Pereyram 21, have been accused of selling Liam drugs on two occasions mere days before his death and both have been refused bail.
The crime they face prosecution on carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence if convicted.
Nores joined Liam and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy in Argentina in the days prior to the tragedy.
The multimillionaire has previously said: "I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.
"There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left."
A few days after Liam's death, officials said that it was likely the former One Direction ace "did not know what he was doing" in the moments before his fatal balcony plunge.
They said this was due to the "state he was in".
This was later supported by the official police report on his death which said he suffered "catastrophic injuries incompatible with life".
Liam didn't "adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself" as he fell, the report added.
Officials said this could be inferred to mean he may have been in a state of semi or even total unconsciousness at the time.
The Sun previously reported that Roger "was not welcome" at Liam's funeral which took place in Wolverhampton.
A source said: "Liam's family want his funeral to go off without a hitch and right now opinions are strained when it comes to Roger.
"It's true he and Liam had a bond but he's never been popular when it comes to Liam's wider circle.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"Due to the ongoing investigation in Argentina, he's not welcome at this week's service."
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One Direction stars pay tribute to Liam Payne
Liam's former One Direction bandmates released a joint statement after his death, as well as emotional individual tributes to the tragic star.
They said: We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. - Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: "His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
"Thank you for shaping us Liam.
"I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
"I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you."
Zayn Malik said: "Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
"I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
"When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved."
He added: "When it came to the music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense.
"I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly.
"I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever".
And Harry Styles wrote: "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing.
"His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
"He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
"The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
"My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did."
Niall Horan said: "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
"Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel - happy and secure.
"All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
"We got to live out our wildest dreams together, and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime."
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