’s close friend denied his involvement in the late singer’s death.
“I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened,” Nores told the Daily Mail in a Thursday, November 7, statement. “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen.”
Payne was visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the weeks preceding his death. News broke on October 16 that the former One Direction singer suffered a fatal fall from a third-story hotel balcony at the age of 31. An autopsy revealed that Payne sustained multiple injuries involving internal and external hemorrhage and had various drugs in his system including “pink cocaine” and crack.
Local Buenos Aires police officers subsequently launched an investigation into the circumstances of Payne’s death.
“I’ve given my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since,” Nores told the Daily Mail. “I wasn’t Liam’s manager; he was just my very dear friend … I’m really heartbroken with this tragedy, and I’ve been missing my friend every day.”
Earlier on Thursday, Argentina officials charged three individuals in connection to Payne’s death including a hotel employee and one of Payne’s travel companions. In a 180-page indictment, the suspects were charged with abandonment leading to death and the supply and facilitation of narcotics.
“Three supplementary medical-legal reports requested by Madrea confirmed that all injuries were consistent with a high fall, ruling out self-harm or third-party involvement. The lack of defensive posture upon impact suggests Payne may have fallen in a semi- or fully unconscious state,” a statement from prosecutors read. “In light of this, forensic psychiatry experts were consulted to determine whether Payne may have been in a diminished or unconscious state at the time of the fall, which the prosecutor believes negates the possibility of voluntary action on his part.”
Following the conclusion of the investigation and additional toxicology tests, Payne’s remains were able to be sent back to his native U.K. The “Teardrops” musician’s father, , accompanied his son’s body on a flight to London that landed on Thursday morning.
Payne is survived by his parents, his two older sisters and his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey, whom he shared with ex. Details regarding a funeral service have not been publicly revealed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
