Liam Payne’s Father Sued for Defamation by Late Singer’s Friend

Roger Nores, a close friend of the late Liam Payne, has launched a $10 million lawsuit against Geoff, Payne's father, alleging defamation. Nores claims that Geoff made false accusations regarding his involvement and responsibility in Payne's care, effectively assigning him as a scapegoat for Payne’s tragic death.

On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, resulting in fatal injuries caused by multiple traumas. In Argentina, alongside Roger Nores, hotel manager Gilda Martin, head of reception Esteban Grassi, Ezequiel Pereyra, and Braian Paiz face Manslaughter charges related to Payne's death.

Roger Nores' defamation suit primarily challenges the sworn declarations made by Geoff Payne to the Argentine authorities. Nores strongly denies any formal responsibility for Payne's care, asserting that their relationship was friendship-based and not professional. He insists that Geoff's claims that he was the caretaker and responsible for Payne's welfare are false and defamatory. The implications of these statements, according to Nores, have caused significant reputational damage, which he quantifies at over $10 million. Nores has expressed his wishes to donate any awarded damages to Liam Payne's son, Bear, if he wins the lawsuit.

Nores' defense highlights that he communicated to Geoff in a September 2024 conversation, urging him to assume responsibility for his son, a move he believes directly contradicts the caretaker narrative advanced by Geoff. Moreover, this legal battle also involves Nores' broader claim that Geoff provided misleading statements about their communication dynamics, specifically regarding Liam’s access to his phone, which Nores argues Liam frequently had. Geoff Payne as well as Liam's estate deny these allegations, the latter throwing support behind the late singer's father.