Liam Payne‘s pal Rogelio Nores has denied any involvement in his death.
As Perezcious readers know, on Thursday, a press release from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office and obtained by People revealed that three people were arrested and charged with abandonment of a person followed by death as well as the supply and facilitation of narcotics. This comes about a month after the One Direction star fell from his fourth-story balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. It has since been determined he did not die by suicide.
Related: Liam ‘Looked Healthy’ Filming Netflix Show Weeks Before Death
Two out of the three people charged include a hotel worker accused of supplying Liam with cocaine and an alleged “drug supplier.” The third was noted as an unnamed friend of the singer’s. According to La Nación, the friend was an Argentine businessman who presented himself as Liam’s manager even though he wasn’t. They spent time together during the 31-year-old’s trip.
Per the report, investigators tried to call him on the day of the pop star’s death but he didn’t pick up. The following day, an attorney for the businessman asked if he was facing charges. When they said no, he testified as a witness, claiming to have been at the hotel on October 16, the day of the death. Employees claim they didn’t see him, though.
Apparently, the businessman didn’t inform the artist’s family that he was struggling with substance abuse issues again. Because of all of this, a judge decided to charge him for breach of care. If convicted, the abandonment and drug charges both crimes carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
While the authorities haven’t named the friend, many have suspected it could be Rogelio Nores — who is hitting back HARD at the allegations! In an emotional statement shared with DailyMail.com on Thursday, Rogelio, who goes by Roger, denied being a suspect and reports his home had been raided, urging:
“I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.”
He continued:
“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. 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. 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 23. I’m really heart-broken with this tragedy, and I’ve been missing my friend every day.”
It’s unclear what was in that email. While reports have stated the three individuals have been charged, Daily Mail noted that sources familiar with the local judicial system said they have actually been arrested and placed under official suspicion, but they have not been formally indicted. Either way, it’s clear law enforcement are getting to the bottom of this tragic loss.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or check out StartYourRecovery.org
[Image via WENN]
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