Liam Payne's family speaks out after court dropped manslaughter charges related to his death
Liam Payne’s family said in a statement that they are accepting the court’s decision to clear manslaughter charges against the late singer’s friend and two employees at the hotel where he died.
"Liam's death was an unspeakable tragedy. This is a time of tremendous grief and pain for those who knew and loved him. Liam ought to have had a long life ahead of him. Instead, Bear has lost his father, Geoff and Karen have lost their son, Ruth and Nicola have lost their brother and all of Liam's friends and fans have lost someone they held very dear,” they began on the statement provided to the BBC on March 2.
"We understand that the investigation into Liam's death was absolutely necessary, and the family recognizes the work done by the Argentinian authorities. However, the family accepts the Court of Appeal's decision to drop all charges,” they added.
In the same statement, the family lamented how the media’s constant attention has left “lasting damage [to] the family,” especially to his seven-year-old son, Bear.
"The constant media attention and speculation which has accompanied the process has exacted indescribable, lasting damage on the family, particularly on Liam's son who is trying to process emotions which no seven-year-old should have to experience,” they continued.
"The family has always wished for privacy to grieve and asks that they be given the space and time to do so,” they added.
They acknowledged Liam's recent BRIT Award, where he was celebrated for his musical achievements and positive influence.
"This weekend, at the Brit Awards, Liam was remembered for his phenomenal contribution to British music and for his wider, positive impact on millions of adoring fans the world over. We joined in that celebration of his life and will forever remember the joy that his music brought to the world,” they wrote, adding, "Liam, you are so loved and missed."
This came over two weeks after BBC and other international media outlets reported on Feb. 19 that the Court of Appeals cleared the manslaughter charges of Roger Nores, as well as Gilda Martin and Esteban Grassi, two employees of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, following a hearing in Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Court.
The three were charged in December. Roger was charged after prosecutors claimed he failed "to fulfill his duties of care, assistance and aid" for Payne,” per People magazine. He has since maintained that he “did not have a legal duty” to the late singer.
Meanwhile, Martin, head of security at CasaSur Palmero Hotel, was accused of failure to prevent Payne from going up to his hotel room before his death. They also claimed that Grassi asked three people to "drag" Liam, who was unable to stand, to his hotel room instead of keeping him safe.
In the trial, the judges said that there was “not enough evidence” against the hotel employees that they were in "thoughtless, reckless, or merely negligent behavior" regarding Payne's death.
On the other hand, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, who were accused of selling Payne drugs, will remain in prison as they await trial. If found guilty, they could face prison sentences between four and 14 years.
Liam died on Oct. 16, 2024, at 31 years old. His room was found destroyed, with broken objects and furniture, along with alcohol and suspected drugs.
According to a Jan. 8, 2025, report by BBC, Liam's official cause of death was polytrauma.
