Liam Payne was ‘close to death’ from taking drugs and heroin, a friend claims

In the composition Liam Payneinvestigation into the death of a singer’s friend Roger Norres testified about his drug history.

“I was a friend who loved him dearly, who selflessly helped him in whatever way I could, who spent my money to help him, and even then it wasn’t enough,” Nores wrote in a recent court filing obtained by Rolling Stone. “I do not believe that I deserve the accusations that are being made against me.”

Norres was accused of abandoning Payne before his death. The One Direction singer, who was 31, suffered a fatal fall from the third floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina in October. An autopsy revealed that Payne suffered multiple injuries and had various drugs in his system.

Payne used to be honest his struggle with substance abuse and past visits to rehabilitation facilities. Nores detailed his knowledge of Payne’s history in a non-testimony court filing.

On the subject: 5 people will be questioned at the inquest into the death of Liam Payne later this month

HUGO/MEGA Investigators are looking for answers to what led to Liam Payne’s death. On October 16, 2024, the former One Direction member fell to his death from the balcony of the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old. Press release translated by the Prosecutor’s Office of Argentina on November 7, 2024. (…)

“Because of his addiction, Payne continued to voluntarily attend rehab centers in an effort to overcome them,” Nores said. “Unfortunately, this treatment was not successful and his addiction worsened when he began using harder drugs such as heroin.”

Referring to one incident in September 2023, Nores claimed that Payne “suffered from a severe intoxication which led to his death” and apparently left him in a hospital in Milan. Norres also claimed that Payne was hospitalized twice in London later that year.

“Professionals had to resort to CPR to save his life and there was nothing his family or friends could do to avoid these situations or help him,” the documents added.

According to Nores, Payne’s struggle with addiction began to worsen.

“Liam had another relapse, so he was taken back to the hospital in a critical condition and had to be resuscitated to save his life,” Norris said, adding that Payne only started using drugs again after August of this year .

Norris also denied he dumped Payne knowing the musician was unable to take care of himself, echoing comments he made last month.

“I never abandoned Liam. I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before it happened,” Nores told Daily Mail in November. “There were over 15 people in the hotel lobby talking and joking with him as I was leaving. I never imagined something like this would happen.”

He added at the time: “I wasn’t Liam’s manager; he was just a very dear friend of mine … I am truly heartbroken by this tragedy and miss my friend every day.”

Payne was rested in November after his body was repatriated back to his native England. He is survived by his parents, sisters and a 7-year-old son who was with his ex Cheryl Cole.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).