The legal battle surrounding Liam Payne’s tragic death took an unexpected turn this week as an Argentine court dropped charges against three of the five people initially implicated.

For those closely following the case, the decision brought a mix of relief and confusion.

While Payne’s friend and manager, Roger Nores, was expected to be cleared, the dismissal of charges against two senior hotel employees came as a major surprise.

Why Roger Nores Walked Free

From the outset, accusations against Roger Nores centered on claims that he had ‘abandoned’ Payne on the day of his fatal fall from a balcony at the CasaSur Hotel.

Prosecutors argued that Nores was aware of the singer’s struggles with addiction yet failed to intervene.

However, after months of scrutiny, a panel of judges ruled that Nores could not be held responsible for the consequences of Payne’s actions.

For Nores and his family, the decision marked the end of a painful chapter.

While some may debate what he did or didn’t know about Payne’s condition in the days leading up to his death, the ruling reaffirmed that Nores had not committed a criminal offense.

The Unexpected Twist: Hotel Employees Cleared

What stunned many was the exoneration of Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist, and Gilda Martin, the hotel manager on duty at the time of Payne’s death.

Their involvement had been brought into sharp focus after security footage showed three staff members—including Grassi—carrying what appeared to be Payne’s unconscious body from the hotel lobby to a suite on the third floor.

It was from the balcony of that room that the singer tragically fell less than ten minutes later.

Martin did not physically move Payne herself, but as the hotel’s acting manager, she had authority over what transpired.

Despite the shocking footage and global outrage, judges Ignacio Rodriguez Varela, Julio Marcelo Lucini, and Hernan Martin Lopez ruled that neither hotel employee bore criminal responsibility for the events that followed.

Questions That Still Linger

The court’s rationale rested on Martin’s argument that the hotel was not a medical facility and that she was not a doctor.

She also claimed she was unaware of Payne’s condition at the time.

However, these claims raise more questions than they answer.

If Martin truly did not know about Payne’s struggles, why was he transferred from another hotel for disruptive behavior linked to intoxication?

Would a responsible manager have allowed an unconscious guest to be taken to a private room rather than calling emergency services?

Grassi’s defense followed a similar path.

He insisted he was unaware of Payne’s addiction history and that he acted swiftly by calling 911 after placing the singer in his suite.

The judges accepted this account, concluding that “locking Payne in his room cannot reasonably be argued as contributing to his death.”

Justice for Some, but Not All

While Nores, Martin, and Grassi are now free from legal scrutiny, two other hotel workers—cleaner Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz—remain under investigation.

Unlike the senior staff who walked away unscathed, these two lower-ranking employees, both from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are still facing legal consequences.

The disparity has not gone unnoticed.

As the dust settles on this latest development, the case continues to provoke debate over accountability, privilege, and the unanswered questions surrounding Payne’s final moments.

What Comes Next?

With three people cleared and two still facing legal uncertainty, the case is far from over.

Fans and legal experts alike will be watching closely to see how the remaining suspects are treated in court.

For now, Payne’s death remains a painful mystery, and many are left wondering whether true justice has been served.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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