SINCE Liam Payne’s tragic death, his heartbroken family have maintained a brave and dignified silence.
It is a shame that the same cannot be said for his former pal Roger Nores, or the online ghouls spreading warped and dangerous rumours about his final hours.
The family of Liam Payne, pictured with girlfriend Kate Cassidy, are planning how to keep the singer’s legacy alive[/caption]
Geoff Payne visits the memorial for his son outside the Casa Sur Hotel where he fell to his death from a hotel balcony, in Buenos Aires[/caption]
Over the past few weeks I’ve seen countless far-fetched conspiracy theories spread across TikTok and X, ranging from claims the former One Direction star was “murdered” by some dark music industry force to ridiculous suggestions his death was faked by a double.
Meanwhile, Liam’s alleged ex-manager Nores has embarked on a relentless PR tour after manslaughter charges against him were dropped, while bringing a quite frankly nasty £8.1million legal case against Liam’s grieving dad.
Against this fractious backdrop, it is even more remarkable that the star’s family have kept their nerve, ploughing ahead with touching plans to honour his legacy, which I can reveal include launching a memorial exhibition in his hometown of Wolverhampton.
A source tells me: “Liam’s family have zero desire to speak out or respond to [Nores] or anyone else – they will continue to keep a dignified silence.
“They understand the global interest as Liam was one of the biggest stars on the planet, but to them he was – and always will be – their boy.
“They are focused on his legacy and find comfort in fan support for Liam’s music amongst the noise.”
It’s been just over four months since Liam passed away aged just 31, and since then so much has been written about the once bright-eyed singer who shot to fame aged just 14.
Slowly things had begun to calm down, despite speculation about how this weekend’s Brits Awards will pay tribute to Liam and his lasting musical legacy.
However, now as the family quietly plan how to keep their son’s memory alive, the internet has descended into new depths.
I have no doubt that many fans’ hearts are in the right place and believe they are somehow fighting for justice, but the unnecessary spreading of frankly ludicrous theories needs to end.
Searches for “Liam Payne look-alike”, for example, are up 1,100 per cent on Google over the past seven days, with “stunt” and “double” ranking as related terms.
While I can’t imagine Liam’s parents are sat scrolling X or TikTok, other family members and friends will no doubt see many of these posts and I can’t even imagine how they will feel.
Thankfully I’ve never lost someone in such tragic circumstances, but it goes without saying that, for anyone who actually knew Liam, to see some of this rubbish must be beyond heartbreaking.
Pal’s shock lawsuit against dad
Quite simply the conspiracy theories must stop – as must the damaging diatribes being spouted out by Liam’s supposed friend, Roger Nores.
Ever since the star’s untimely death in October, which saw him fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony, Roger has been at the centre of the drama.
One of the last people to see Liam alive, the businessman was seen by many to have been responsible for looking after him.
Indeed, local authorities even charged Roger and two members of staff at the hotel with manslaughter in December, only for the charges to be dropped last week.
The Brit Awards will pay tribute to Liam at the upcoming 2025 ceremony[/caption]
Roger has always insisted he was never more than a friend to Liam and not responsible for his death. But that hasn’t stopped him finding ways to hog the limelight.
In January, Liam’s dad Geoff Payne’s highly confidential police statement leaked, detailing claims he thought his son was in Roger’s care. Roger subsequently launched proceedings to sue him for defamation.
Roger’s decision to speak out and his vow to pursue his legal case against Geoff has naturally caused distress
The grieving father has so far, somehow, kept a dignified silence.
Meanwhile, rather than feeling quietly vindicated after the charges were dropped, a seemingly emboldened Roger has taken it upon himself to embark on a mini publicity blitz, boasting he has zero plans to withdraw his bitter legal case.
Mass outrage and hurt
Unsurprisingly, the comments have sparked mass outrage and heaped a new load of hurt and grief on to Liam’s friends and family.
Still, they are maintaining their composure – presumably determined to sort things out behind closed doors, rather than follow Roger’s lead and mud-sling as the world watches on.
The source told us: “Roger’s decision to speak out and his vow to pursue his legal case against Geoff has naturally caused distress.
“Sadly, though, it’s not surprising. He seems to have given a running commentary ever since last October.”
Away from this sad turn of events, Liam’s loved ones are doing their best to ensure his memory lives on.
I understand Wolverhampton Council are actively looking at ways to display countless tributes to the singer, which had been left in the city in his honour.
Liam’s family have zero desire to speak out or respond to [Nores] or anyone else – they will continue to keep a dignified silence
A City of Wolverhampton Council spokesperson told us: “Following Liam’s tragic passing, hundreds if not thousands of tributes were left for him by fans at a memorial in the city.
“After his funeral, we respectfully collected and preserved these items which have since been shared with Liam’s family at their request.
“When the time is right for them, we plan to host a display of some of the items at the City Archives so fans and visitors to Wolverhampton can see for themselves some of the loving tributes left for Liam who is one of our city’s greatest stars.”
Liam Payne’s girlfriend opens up
by Clemmie Moodie, Assistant Editor
LIAM Payne’s devastated girlfriend broke her silence about the One Direction star’s final days — and her regret at leaving him alone before his death.
US influencer Kate Cassidy, 25, hit back at critics who accused her of abandoning Liam in Argentina where he fell to his death from a hotel balcony last October.
She tells of their “fairytale romance”, how she supported him “through thick and thin” and shares touching photographs, including her last snap of Liam, 31.
In her first global interview since the tragedy, Kate reveals her final message to the One Direction superstar — the “charming soulmate” she planned to marry.
Kate exclusively told The Sun: “Love is so optimistic, and you just hope that everything will work out at the end. Obviously if I knew, if I could see into the future, I would never have left Argentina.”
She debunked internet conspiracy theories that she’d returned to their Florida home after a break-up and rows — explaining she dashed back to look after their rescue dog, Nala.
Kate also believes his fall from a hotel balcony last October was an accident and not suicide.
Recalling her trip home, she said: “I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility. We had our dog and obviously I never, ever thought this event would occur.
“It was a tragic accident and no, I never did think (he might die young). But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we have travelled separately.
“I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did.”
Despite travelling the globe, Liam was always keen to remember his roots and help others where he could.
As well as donating thousands to charity, he also helped out at food banks and was an active support of charity Unicef.
The next 12 months will be filled with heartbreaking firsts.
In June, Liam’s mum, Karen, will have her first birthday without hearing from her son. Two months later, the family will mark what would have been his 32nd birthday alone.
October 16 will mark the first anniversary of his death.
Hopefully, Roger’s flurry of interviews is now behind him and he can – like the rest of those close to Liam – begin to reflect in private.
Liam’s devoted fans should also remember stoking mass hysteria in the name of so-called justice with conspiracy theories is just as damaging.
If they are struggling to see a path forward, they can do no better than follow the Payne family’s admirable lead, who have somehow found a light amid the darkness.
The star’s last-known social media post before his death[/caption]
