Liam’s friend speaks out after arrests

Police have charged three people in relation to the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne last month, and now one of his friends has been forced to speak out.

One of Liam Payne’s closest friends has denied claims that he was one of three people who have been charged in relation to the death of British pop star.

Authorities in Buenos Aires, Argentina confirmed Thursday they had brought charges against a staff member from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where Payne fell to his death October 16, an alleged drug dealer, and a friend of the former One Direction singer.

Three people have been charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death. Picture: ANGELA WEISS/AFP

MORE: Fortune left behind by One Direction star Liam Payne revealed

According to a press release from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, the friend, who at this stage has not been identified, was alleged to have been with Payne “on a daily basis” during his stay in Buenos Aires, with Payne spending three nights at the CasaSur Hotel.

The star’s close friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores has denied suggestions that he was one of the trio arrested. In a bombshell statement, he revealed that he was with the star just minutes before he died.

Nores told The Sun: “I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.

“I could have never imagined something like this would happen.”

“I haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since,” he continued.

“I wasn’t Liam’s manager he was just my very dear friend and please refer to the email I sent to Liam and his team on August 23rd.

“I’m really heartbroken with this tragedy, and I’ve missing my friend every day.”

Prior to the hotel where he died, Payne had spent more than two weeks in Argentina at a different accommodation.

It’s understood the friend arrested was with Payne on the day of his death.

Prosecutors have accused the man of “abandonment of a person followed by death”, and “the supply and facilitation of narcotics”.

The charges could warrant five to 15 years imprisonment.

Payne fell from the third floor balcony of his room at the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Picture: Luis Robaya/AFP

A hotel worker, believed to be a housekeeper, has been charged with providing illegal drugs, including cocaine, to Payne during his brief stay at the CasaSur Hotel.

Police believe the staffer delivered drugs to Payne in a Dove soap box, which was found in the musician’s room.

The other person, an alleged drug supplier, has been accused of supplying drugs to Payne twice on October 14, two days before his death.

Both people are facing charges of supplying narcotics.

Authorities said in the press release that Payne “was not fully conscious or was experiencing a state of noticeable decrease or loss of consciousness at the time of the fall.”

Further, the press release states in the moments before his death, and in the period of at least 72 hours prior, Payne had “polydrug use of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his body”.

Prosecutors also ruled out “self-harm of any kind and/or physical intervention by third parties.”

Payne, a father-of-one, died from injuries sustained after falling from the third floor balcony of his hotel room.

The charges come after Argentinian police conducted raids on the homes of the hotel workers and the unidentified friend of Payne on Tuesday night.

Authorities also searched the hotel lockers of the employees and reviewed more than 800 hours of security footage from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel and surrounding properties.

Police were seen raiding the hotel on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

Payne suffered “internal and external” haemorrhages, among other injuries, after falling around 14 metres from a balcony. His body was found in the hotel courtyard surrounded by tables and chairs.

A toxicology report showed Payne had a cocktail of drugs in his system, including cocaine, crack and benzodiazepine, which is a type of depressant.

The test also found “pink cocaine,” a recreational drug that typically mixes methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and others.

Payne was in Argentina on his own after his girlfriend of two years, Kate Cassidy, returned to their home in Florida two days before his death.

Payne’s father Geoff arrived in Buenos Aires shortly after his son’s death to identify the body.

The late musician’s body was flown back to the UK in recent days, with his father returning to London’s Heathrow on the same flight.

His funeral is set to take place within 10 days at St Paul’s Cathedral in Wolverhampton, the city where he grew up.

It’s expected Payne’s former One Direction band members, including Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson will attend.

The best-selling boy band paid tribute to Payne shortly after news of his death sent shockwaves around the world

“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,” the bandmates said in a group statement.

“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.”

Originally published as Liam’s friend speaks out after arrests