Three of the five people charged with manslaughter in connection with Liam Payne’s death have reportedly had their charges dropped.
Rolling Stone reported on Wednesday that the charges against the late singer’s friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores and two CasaSur Palermo hotel employees were dismissed.
However, the two men accused of selling the One Direction member cocaine, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, are still awaiting trial.
Nores was initially accused of abandonment after allegedly not informing the songwriter’s family members of his relapse and faced five to 15 years in prison if convicted.
However, the Argentine businessman, who was charged in November 2024, maintained his innocence and claimed that he “never abandoned” his pal.
“I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened,” he told the Daily Mail at the time. “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left.”
Wednesday’s ruling seemingly agreed with Nores, stating, “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.
“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,” it continued.
After his charges were dismissed, Nores gushed to the outlet that he is “glad this is finally over.”
He added, “I’m happy I’m now going to be able to travel to the UK and say goodbye to my friend.”
As for the two employees whose charges were dropped, the ruling claimed they did not exhibit “thoughtless, reckless, or merely negligent behavior” before Payne’s passing.
Payne died on Oct. 16, 2024, after falling off the balcony of his third-story hotel room in Casa Sur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.
Following an autopsy and toxicology report, it was revealed that the singer fell as he tried to escape from his room while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The “X Factor” alum was laid to rest in November 2024, with his emotional parents photographed at the funeral, as well as former bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
That same month, a source told Page Six that Liam’s mom and dad, Karen Payne and Geoff Payne, could bring a private criminal action against anyone who contributed to his passing.
Nores, notably, sued his late friend’s father for defamation in January for making sworn statements that Liam was in his care.
Liam is survived by son Bear, 7, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Cole.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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