Cheryl

IT IS two years to the day since Liam Payne’s family – and his millions of fans – had their hearts broken when the pop star plunged to his death from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.

Now, a bombshell update has ripped through the investigation. Argentinian businessman Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, 38, once facing the terrifying prospect of prison for negligent homicide, has been officially cleared of all criminal liability. Two hotel workers have also walked free.

Meanwhile, two defendants charged with selling cocaine to Liam await their fate, but case sources now think a full trial over his death will never take place.

For Liam’s grieving family and millions of devoted fans, Roger being cleared does not bring closure.

It simply shines a spotlight on the agonising black holes still in the official narrative as a UK inquest into Liam’s death is still ongoing, despite a series of setbacks. 

Here are the chilling questions that still demand answers:

Who really delivered the fatal dose?

While Nores and two hotel workers, Gilda Martin and Esteban Grassi, have had manslaughter charges dropped, the drug trail hasn’t gone cold. Toxicology reports confirmed a lethal cocktail of “alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant” in Liam’s system.

Two men, Ezequiel Pereya, 22, and Braian Paiz, 26, are currently languishing in an Argentine jail awaiting trial, accused of selling Liam the narcotics. 

Braian Paiz was working at a high end restaurant in Buenos Aires when he first met the One Direction singer on October 2, 2024. 

He has claimed as Liam was leaving he asked the starstruck waiter if he had any cocaine and the pair exchanged Instagram handles. 

Over a week later Liam, who was still in the Argentine capital, contacted him to ask for drugs. 

Braian admitted in his witness statement: “He ended up convincing me to get [drugs] for him. And, in all honesty, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see him again. That’s why I agreed to do it.”

In a later newspaper interview, he said: “I’ve suffered so much psychological damage due to all this and the social condemnation, and of course I’m worried now I might be in prison for many years. But I don’t regret meeting Liam. I was a fan.”

But it has become clear Liam was getting drugs from many sources, so the question remains: how did a global superstar, supposedly in a secure VIP suite, become a target for local dealers? Was there a wider network exploiting vulnerable guests at the Casa Sur?

When will the trial of the two accused take place? 

The two defendants charged with selling cocaine to Liam in the lead up to his death are still awaiting trial. 

Restaurant waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz, 26, and hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra, 22, served over one year in police precincts and in a federal prison until they were released in March.

The Sun understands that there have been negotiations for a plea deal for the two young men. 

That could mean that a full trial over Liam’s death never takes place.

The pair are accused of selling drugs to Liam but if the plea deal goes ahead that charge could be reduced to supply of drugs for free, which carries a maximum sentence of six months.  

According to legal experts, given the pair have no prior criminal convictions, the sentence would already be covered by time served. 

Pereyra’s defense attorney, Augusto Maria Cassiau, told The New York Post: “We would be inclined to accept the offer.”

What part will Cheryl play in the ongoing investigation? 

Another heartbreaking chapter involves Cheryl, who shares 9-year-old son, Bear, with Liam.

Since Liam tragically passed away without leaving a will, his entire £25.7 million estate will eventually pass to his young son.

In May 2025, Cheryl was officially named as a co-administrator of his massive estate alongside attorney Richard Mark Bray. 

However, her power is strictly administrative. She and Bray can “manage the money” but cannot distribute it without further legal authority. 

Shortly after Liam’s passing, Cheryl issued a searing statement condemning the “abhorrent reports and media exploitation” surrounding his death, begging for Liam to be given “the little dignity he has left”. 

Cheryl is a plaintiff, on behalf of their son Bear, in the case against the waiter and the hotel worker, who are charged with supplying Liam drugs.

The Sun understands that she could ultimately have the last say over any plea deal agreed with the Argentine authorities – but she, or her lawyers, have so far not objected to the rulings in Roger’s favour. 

Now as the inquest stalls, how much longer will Cheryl and Bear have to wait for the final legal chapter to close?

What happened on the balcony? 

The most haunting mystery of all. We know Liam fell from the third floor of the hotel, where he was staying in Room 10. 

But the moments leading up to that fatal plunge are still shrouded in silence. The UK coroner, Crispin Butler, has been desperately chasing “eyewitness statements” from Argentina since late 2025. 

Following his death, it was reported that Liam jumped off his balcony, perhaps trying to reach the swimming pool below that it was claimed he had been denied access to because of his intoxicated state. 

But it later became clear he had fallen backwards, possibly after falling unconscious, causing unsurvivable injuries to his head and dying instantly.

The toxicology report read: “Due to the position in which the body was found and the injuries from the fall, it is presumed that Payne did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and may have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness.”

After forensic experts studied the singer’s hands, they did not find any defensive injuries, which led them to believe that “the injuries on the body were vital and produced at the same time, and that no injuries were observed that could suggest the intervention of third parties”.

Are there witnesses who saw the build-up? Were there warning signs ignored by hotel management before he stepped onto the balcony? And why did they let him back into his room? 

Why are the Argentine authorities not working more closely with their UK counterparts? 

For Liam’s family, the wait for justice is becoming a cruel joke. 

The UK inquest has been delayed repeatedly, first pushed to May 2026, and now stalled again because British coroners are still waiting on fully translated case files and evidence disclosures from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Coroner Crispin Butler told a pre-inquest hearing there had been no updates since a last review in January 2025, when he said he would seek full reports and eyewitness statements before a final inquest.

He added: “We have had no further disclosure of evidence from Argentina via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”

It has been 24 months. Why are the Argentine authorities dragging their heels in handing over the final, unredacted timeline?

Cheryl has made a surprise early return to The Voice UK and is set to appear in Saturday night’s episode for the Battle Rounds, joining long-time friend Will.i.am as his assistant coach

Cheryl has made her debut on The Voice UK as a guest mentor. The chart-topper has given fans a first glimpse of her new role as a coach ahead of the show’s 2027 series.

The Girls Aloud star, 43, appeared in the latest episode as the ITV singing competition continues its Battle Rounds, joining her longtime friend Will.i.am to help him decide which contestants deserve a place in the semi-finals.

Cheryl was confirmed as a coach for the next series last month, replacing Sir Tom Jones on the panel. Her appearance this weekend will give viewers an early taste of what to expect when she officially takes up the role. The singer arrived alongside Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am, 51, looking stylish in a red tasselled leather jacket and light blue flared jeans.

To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google, make us your preferred source. Free and easy to do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed.

The pair embraced as they reunited for filming, having worked together on music projects over the years. Will revealed that he had been trying to have Cheryl join him for the last 13 years. Cheryl knows exactly what it takes to make it in the music industry, having found fame after being selected for Girls Aloud on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.

Speaking to Team Will, the Call My Name songstress said: “I’m so excited for you. You couldn’t be in better hands than you are with my man Will. Will and I have collaborated a lot over the years, so we know what it’s like for two very different artists to come together. I wish you all the very best for what you’ve got today, and I’m excited to see you all!”

Reflecting on her own experience, having found fame on Popstars, Cheryl said during a solo interview: “I have stood in the shoes that the contestants are standing in, and I know what it feels like to perform in this environment. You’ve just got to know that you’re good, or you wouldn’t be here.”

And fans were overjoyed to see Cheryl back on screens. One said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Cheryl looks amazing, oh my gosh.” “CHERYL ON #TheVoice Saturday night TV is SO back,” said a second. “Ah I’m buzzing,” commented a third. A fourth exclaimed: “So excited.” “I’m excited to see Cheryl and Will back together,” commented another.

Her appearance marks a return to television after a lengthy break from the spotlight following the death of her former partner, Liam Payne, in October 2024.

The singer had largely stepped back from public life in the wake of the tragedy, making her new coaching role a significant career move. While Cheryl once dominated the music industry and became the first female artist to have five records debut at Number One, her last single, Let You, was released in 2019 and peaked at Number 57 on the Official Charts Company.

Prior to this, her last album, Only Human, which peaked at Number 7, boasted the singles Crazy Stupid Love and Only Human, and was released in November 2014.

Cheryl’s appointment is part of a wider shake-up for The Voice UK, with Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon confirmed as the show’s new presenters. The pair will take over from Emma Willis, who is moving on after landing a presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing.

The Voice Australia coach and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Delta Goodrem, is helping Kelly after spending eight seasons on the Aussie edition of the programme.

Also, Danny and Tom were joined by their McFly band members Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd as they tried to win The Voice UK two consecutive years in a row following their success with AVA in 2024.

Last Saturday (October 3), the final round of the blind auditions aired, and the coaches finalised their teams, which consist of eight acts each.

Team will.i.am is made up of Diogo Ferreira, Sonna Rele, BMG, Triple Threat, Teodora Sava, Naná Aldrin-Quaye, Ardú, and Bella Popera. Team Kelly has Monique Nicholson-Porter, Ray Gelato, Lascel Wood, Aaren James, Cris Quammie, Samantha Udeke, Turah Sadiq, and Jessica Beth.

Cate McHugh, Vadé Amãlia Estradas, Harry Linacre, Eric & Jensen, Dakari Love, Molly J, Robbie McMinn represent Team Sir Tom and Ellie Harney, Ross McGuire, Ciiara Nyx, Finlay McKillop, Jack Algar, Frank Raven, Regan Preece, Adam Tucker have joined Team Tom and Danny.

The coaches and their advisors will now work with the acts to try to help them secure their place in the competition but not every act can progress.

The Voice UK returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday, October 17 at 8.35pm

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .