Liam Payne’s friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores has released a statement denying any connection to the former One Direction member. fatal fall from third floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16.

“I never gave up on Liam. I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before it happened,” Nores, an Argentine businessman who befriended Payne in 2020 — told the Daily Mail THURSDAY.

“There were more than 15 people in the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left.”

Nores – who “could never have imagined that something like this would happen” – pointed out that he made his “statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness.”

He insisted he had “not spoken to any police or prosecutors since.”

Nores, 35, went on to point out that he “was not Liam’s manager,” calling the late singer a “dear friend” who he “missed…every day.”

“I am truly heartbroken by this tragedy,” Nores added, urging the outlet to “refer to the email (he) sent to Liam and his team on August 23,” which was supposed to alert them of his “concern(s)”. ” with Payne’s “well-being.”

An eyewitness told the Daily Mail that Payne was stressed before falling from his room balcony and that Nores even apologized to hotel guests for the behavior, which was described by spectators as “erratic”.

The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday that Payne’s friend, identified as an Argentine businessman, hotel worker and suspected drug trafficker were accused in connection with his death.

The friend – who allegedly identified himself as Payne’s manager – was charged with abandonment followed by death for allegedly failing to inform the musician’s family that he had relapsed under the influence of drugs.

When Payne plunged to his death… probably in a “state of semi or total unconsciousness” — police reportedly tried to contact the friend via a cell phone number provided by the hotel managers, but he did not answer.

The friend later gave evidence as a witness, leading a judge to rule that he allegedly breached his duty of care to Payne.

If convicted, the friend faces a sentence of five to 15 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the hotel employee and suspected drug dealer were charged with supplying narcotics to Payne.

However, sources close to the Argentine justice system explained to the Daily Mail that the three individuals have not been formally charged; instead they were arrested and placed under official suspicion.

A toxicology report revealed Payne had multiple medications in his system when he died, including pink cocainewhich is usually composed of ecstasy, ketamine, caffeine and a psychedelic used to treat sexual dysfunction known as 2-CB or Tusi.

Investigator photos took troubled star’s trashed room also showed clonazepam, a benzodiazepine used to treat panic disorder and epilepsy, and drug paraphernalia scattered on a table.

However, Payne cause of death at the age of 31 was attributed to multiple trauma from the impact of the fall which resulted in internal and external bleeding.