The One Direction star died from multiple traumatic injuries and ‘internal and external haemorrhage’ after he fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on 16 October, 2024.
His late friend Roger Nores was named as one of the five people who were charged with his death after Argentinian prosecutors claimed he ‘abandoned’ the 31-year-old pop star and lacked a duty of care.
However, Nores has accused Liam’s father Geoff of providing ‘false, contained material omissions, and many parts were not based on personal knowledge’.
The £8.1 million lawsuit states: “Liam was an independent adult person who made all his own decisions,” and Nores was ‘never the caretaker of Liam’.
Nores said Geoff’s statements, which were shared with the media, had an ‘adverse impact’ on his reputation of ‘mega proportions with extensive damages’.
In the 263-page complaint, seen by Rolling Stone, Nores promises that all ‘net financial proceeds of the judicial proceedings for the benefit of Liam Payne’s son,’ Bear, whom he shared with ex Cheryl Cole.
“All the proceeds will be donated to my friend’s son,” Nores told the outlet.
Liam Payne’s father is being sued for £8.1 million by the late singer’s friend, who has been charged over his death (Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Geoff needs to backtrack on his [sworn] statement as he very well knows I wasn’t Liam’s nurse or caretaker.
“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.”
Nores says he sent a demand defamation retraction letter to Geoff’s attorneys earlier this month and their response, which has reportedly been included in the lawsuit, reads: “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).”
Liam Payne died after he fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on 16 October, 2024 (Marc Piasecki/GC Images)
“Liam was an independent person, an adult who had control over all his personal, financial, and professional decisions and made those decisions independently,” the lawsuit adds.
“To the knowledge of [Nores] and on information and belief, Liam was not under any legal imposed and monitored care program, guardianship or conservatorship or the like.”
The five charged with Liam’s death include Nores, the hotel’s manager and a receptionist, who have been charged with manslaughter, while two others – a hotel employee and waiter – have been charged with supplying cocaine.
