As part of Liam PayneInvestigation into the death of the singer's friend Roger Norris He testified about his drug history.
“I was a friend whom I loved dearly, helped him as selflessly as I could, and spent my own money to help him, and even then it was not enough,” Norris wrote in a recent lawsuit obtained by the site. Rolling Stone. “I do not consider that I deserve the accusations directed against me.”
Norris has been accused of abandoning Payne before his death. One Direction singer, 31 years old, He suffered a fatal fall From a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina in October. An autopsy revealed that Payne had multiple injuries and had various drugs in his system.
Payne has previously been outspoken His struggles with drug abuse and previous visits to rehabilitation facilities. Norris detailed his knowledge of Payne's history in a court filing, which is not a deposition.
“Because of his addiction, Payne continued to go to rehab of his own volition in an attempt to overcome it,” Norris said. “Unfortunately, these treatments were not successful and his addiction worsened as he began using stronger drugs, such as heroin.”
Citing an incident in September 2023, Norris claimed that Payne “suffered such severe poisoning that he was on the verge of death”, and apparently left him in hospital in Milan. Norris also claimed that Payne was hospitalized twice in London later that year.
The documents add that “specialists had to resort to resuscitation maneuvers to save his life, without his family or friends being able to do anything to avoid these situations or help him.”
According to Norris, Payne's addiction struggles began to worsen after that.
Norris claimed that “Liam suffered a new relapse in his addiction. He was transported again to the hospital in serious condition, and specialists had to resort to resuscitation maneuvers to save his life,” adding that Payne did not start using drugs again until August of this year.
Norris also denied that he abandoned Payne while knowing the musician was unable to care for himself, repeating comments he made last month.
“I never gave up on Liam. I went to his hotel 3 times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.” L said Daily Mail In November. “There were more than 15 people in the hotel lobby talking and joking with him when I left. I never imagined something like this would happen.”
He added at the time: “I wasn't Liam's manager; He was just a very good friend of mine… I am so saddened by this tragedy, I miss my friend every day.
It was Payne Laid to rest in November After his body was returned to his native England. He is survived by his parents, sisters, and 7-year-old son, whom he shared with his ex-wife Cheryl Cole.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).