Liam Payne's death: Manslaughter charges against friend, hotel staff dropped
What's the story
In a major development in the investigation into One Direction star Liam Payne's tragic death, manslaughter charges against his friend Rogelio "Roger" Nores and two hotel employees have been dropped.
The appeal court judges in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the incident took place, reversed an earlier decision to charge them.
However, two accused of selling cocaine to Payne before his fatal fall from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel still face prosecution.
Legal defense
Nores's lawyer successfully argued against manslaughter charges
Nores's attorney, Rafael Cuneo Libarona (who is also the brother of Argentina's Justice Minister), managed to get his client off the hook for the manslaughter charges.
He contested the prosecution's allegations that Nores was Payne's representative and had failed his duty of care toward him.
After the appeal ruling, Cuneo Libarona said: "We are happy to have reversed the decision by 360 degrees."
"We have always maintained that Rogelio Nores was not responsible for Liam Payne's death."
Additional acquittals
Hotel employees were also cleared of charges
The two hotel employees who were also cleared of charges are Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist at CasaSur Palermo Hotel, and its head of security Gilda Martin.
Grassi had made a 911 call moments before Payne's death and was seen in the last photo of Payne being carried back to his room.
Both men could have faced between one and five years in prison if convicted as charged.
Ongoing trial
Drug suppliers still face prosecution in Payne's death
Despite the recent acquittals, waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz and suspended hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra failed to overturn the decision to charge them with supplying drugs to Payne.
They remain in custody and could face prison sentences of between four and 15 years if convicted.
Prosecutors can appeal the higher court's decision on Nores and the two hotel employees, but it remains unclear if they will.
Personal insights
Payne's girlfriend spoke about his final days
Meanwhile, Payne's girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy (25), recently broke her silence about the One Direction star's final days.
She regretted leaving him alone in Argentina before his death and dismissed internet conspiracy theories suggesting a breakup or arguments led to her departure.
Instead, she explained that she had returned to their Florida home to care for their rescue dog, Nala.
Cassidy believes Payne's fall from a hotel balcony was an accident and not suicide.