
Following the untimely death of Liam Payne, the late One Direction star, his family is now facing a fresh wave of legal turmoil. Geoff Payne, Liam’s father, has found himself named in a defamation lawsuit filed in the United States by Roger Nores, a close friend of the late singer. The lawsuit stems from allegations of “false statements” that were supposedly made by Geoff regarding Liam’s death. This legal battle has stirred outrage among Liam’s fans, many of whom have expressed their frustration on social media platforms.
Liam Payne tragically passed away on October 16, 2024, after sustaining fatal injuries from a fall at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Argentine officials later charged five individuals in connection with his death, including Nores, accusing him of manslaughter for allegedly abandoning the singer and neglecting his duty of care. Nores, however, firmly denies the accusations. In his recent $10 million defamation lawsuit, filed on January 15, 2025, Nores claims that statements made by Geoff Payne to Argentine authorities were false and lacked factual basis, arguing that they harmed his reputation significantly.
Nores has expressed that if his legal action succeeds, all funds from the lawsuit will be directed to Liam’s young son, Bear Payne, whom the singer shared with his ex-partner Cheryl. However, Liam’s estate has strongly opposed this idea, labeling it as unnecessary and asserting that it could cause lasting harm to Bear’s well-being. In the 263-page lawsuit, Nores refutes claims that he was ever responsible for Liam’s care, stating that while they shared a close friendship, he was not Liam’s caretaker nor had any formal obligations toward him.
A significant point of contention in the case revolves around claims that Nores had a professional relationship with Liam related to his struggles with substance abuse. The lawsuit denies these allegations, emphasizing that Liam was an independent adult who made his own decisions. Nores has also argued that the public disclosure of these supposed statements has resulted in considerable damage to his reputation, particularly in the Florida area, where he resides. He believes the remarks made by Geoff Payne have caused widespread harm, negatively affecting both his personal and professional image.
In response to these accusations, Nores claims to have sent a formal retraction request to Geoff Payne’s legal team in early January, to which they reportedly refused to retract the statements. According to Rolling Stone, the estate of Liam Payne dismissed Nores’ request, accusing him of attempting to interfere with an ongoing investigation. Nores has included further evidence in his lawsuit, such as an email from August 2024, which underscores his position as a friend rather than a caretaker to Liam. This legal dispute continues to unfold as both sides prepare for a challenging court battle.