Friend of Liam Payne denies responsibility for his death

After Argentinian prosecutors charged the businessman in relation to the One Direction singer's passing in October, he opened up about his relationship with Payne.

“We were very close,” Nores told Rolling Stone in an article published Feb. 11, noting that Payne was “like a brother” to him. “We were friends, and we supported each other through difficult times. I was there for him, and he was there for me.”

In December, Argentina’s prosecutor confirmed that Nores was charged and accused of “failing to provide assistance” to Payne, despite knowing about his substance abuse struggles. But the businessman—who has sued Payne’s father Geoff Payne for defamation—pushed back on the claims.

“I was his friend, not his keeper,” Nores told Rolling Stone. “I cared about him deeply, but I couldn't control his actions or force him to get help if he didn't want it. I did what I could as a friend, but ultimately, his choices were his own.”

Meanwhile, Payne’s estate responded to the defamation suit on behalf of his father in a statement obtained by People, which said that Geoff Payne "categorically denies" making any false statements. In addition to Nores, three other people have been charged in connection to Payne's death—per Argentina’s prosecutor. CasaSur Palermo’s manager and the hotel’s receptionist were also charged with negligent homicide. Meanwhile, two hotel employees were charged with supplying Payne with cocaine. (E! News has been unable to reach the defendants for comment as it’s unclear if they have retained counsel.)

Prior to his death, Payne had been open about his struggles with substance and alcohol abuse, which he said began during the height of One Direction’s fame.

“Being in the band was intense, and we were often isolated in our hotel rooms,” Liam explained on the The Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021. “It was easy to turn to the mini-bar as a way to cope with the pressure and loneliness.”