Liam Payne Was ‘Extremely Overwhelmed’ by Legal Issues with Ex Maya Henry Before His D*@th at 31 (Exclusive)
Henry, a model from Texas, addressed her former relationship with Payne in a TikTok less than a week before his death
Ashley Graham and Justin Ervin’s Relationship Timeline
Maya Henry and Liam Payne.
Photo: David M. Bennett/Dave Bennett/Getty; Jeff Spicer/Getty
Liam Payne was struggling with issues related to his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, in the period leading up to his death on Oct. 16 at age 31.
A source with knowledge of the situation tells PEOPLE that Payne “was extremely overwhelmed by all of the legal issues” involving Henry.
Henry, 23, issued a cease-and-desist order last week to the former One Direction singer after she alleged he repeatedly contacted her, according to the Daily Mail.
The onetime couple were reportedly engaged before calling off their relationship in 2022, the Daily Mail reported.
In a TikTok shared on Oct. 6 by Henry, a Texas-reared model and the author of the novel Looking Forward, she alleged that her ex — whom she doesn’t name, but associates with “One Direction fans” — continues to “blow up” her phone.
Liam Payne of One Direction Dies at 31 After Falling from Hotel Balcony in Argentina
“It’s always from different phone numbers too. I never know where it’s going to come from . . .
Also [he] will email me,” Henry claimed. “Not only me, but he’ll blow up my mom’s phone. Is that normal behavior to you?”
“Also messaging my friends,” she continued.
“I found out later so they could go over to his house apparently.”
She further alleged that Payne “weaponized” One Direction fans against her.
“He says that he ‘preys on One Direction fans because they will always be loyal to him and they won’t tell on him.’ ”
Payne died after falling multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE.
Police are investigating the cause of his death, and an autopsy will be performed.
Argentine news channel TN was first to report the news of his death.
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear Grey, with his ex, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.
Liam Payne Was ‘Having a Lovely Day’ and Spending ‘Quality Time’ with Girlfriend Kate Cassidy in Final Social Media Posts
PEOPLE confirmed that the former One Direction singer died after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Liam Payne . <span “figure-article-caption-owner”>Photo: Jeff Spicer/Getty; Liam Payne/Snapchat
Liam Payne chronicled his final days on social media before his death at age 31.
PEOPLE confirmed that the former One Direction singer fell from multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Police are currently investigating the cause of his death and an autopsy will be performed.
Liam Payne.Liam Payne/Snapchat
The musician was traveling with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who appeared in various videos from his final posts on Snapchat, which were posted from a friend’s house.
In one of the final videos that appeared to be from four days ago, Payne wrote “Lovely day in Argentina” and showed himself “enjoying coffee and breakfast” at 1 p.m. with Cassidy.
In another post, the couple posed together for a selfie with the caption “quality time” and a heart emoji.
Liam Payne with his girlfriend.Liam Payne/Snapchat
“We’re going to ride some horses. I think I’m gonna be playing polo again, which is gonna put me out of action for about six weeks. Honestly, polo out of everything I’ve ever done sports-wise, Not that I’m, like, taking it polo professionally, By the way. I’m just like I had to go for some fun. It’s so hard to do. Number one, number two, my back and my neck from swinging that hammer around or mallet, think it’s called,” he told his viewers.
“It hurts a lot. It’s very tough to do, but we’re enjoying ourselves here,” he added.
Liam Payne.Liam Payne/Snapchat
Payne expressed his concern for his followers affected by Hurricane Milton, telling his fans it was a “scary thing to watch from far away.”
The former One Direction band member also teased his Halloween costume by sharing a photo of himself looking out in the distance while sitting in a chair. “Halloween costume idea: forest gump,” he wrote.
He ended his series of posts with videos of himself showing off the artwork at a friend’s house.
Liam Payne with his girlfriend.Liam Payne/Snapchat
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The last photo posted on his account was a photo of him in swim trunks with Cassidy, from a photo she posted in August 2023 on Instagram to mark his birthday. “30 never looked so goodhappy birthday, love,” she wrote at the time
