Liam Payne’s Ex Began Legal Action against ‘One Direction’ Idol Days before His Death at 31 – Details

Before his passing, Payne and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, seemed to be enjoying a vacation together in Argentina, sharing joyful moments on social media.

Cassidy reportedly left the country on October 14, while Payne stayed behind at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. However, just two days later, things took a dark turn.

Payne died on October 16, 2024, after falling from the balcony  of his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires. Witnesses at the hotel reported erratic behavior from him earlier that day — he had smashed his laptop in the lobby and needed assistance getting back to his room.

This incident added to the mounting concerns, as the songwriter had previously spoken about his struggles with alcohol and prescription drug addiction, which had led to “severe” suicidal thoughts during his time with One Direction.

Payne’s unsettling behavior on the day of his death was further highlighted in an audio recording from the Buenos Aires security ministry.

In the 911 call, a hotel worker is heard pleading for police assistance, stating, “When he is conscious he is destroying the entire room and we need you to send someone.” The worker also expressed concern for Payne’s safety, mentioning the danger posed by the room’s balcony.

In the days leading up to his death, Payne’s personal life had also been under strain. His ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, lodged a legal accusation against him just days before.

Henry, a model and author, began dating Payne in August 2018, though the “Strip That Down” singer only made their relationship public in September 2019.

The couple became engaged in August 2020, as confirmed by Payne’s representative. The engagement made headlines when the pair were seen during a night out in London, with Henry showcasing a stunning diamond ring.

However, the pair split in June 2021 but later rekindled their relationship. They called off their engagement for the last time in May 2022.

Following the end of their engagement, the relationship between Payne and Henry continued to unravel. Two years later, Henry took legal action by instructing her lawyers to issue a cease-and-desist letter against Payne, accusing him of persistently reaching out to her.

Her lawyers reportedly revealed the legal suit came after “new concerning information” surfaced. The Texas native claimed that Payne had obsessively contacted her friends and family, including her mother.

Henry detailed Payne’s behavior in a candid TikTok video the week before the legal action. “Ever since we broke up he messages me, will blow up my phone, not only from his phone, it’s always from different phone numbers too, so I never know where it’s gonna come from,” she disclosed.

Henry also revealed that the global superstar had admitted to preying on One Direction fans, knowing their loyalty would prevent them from speaking out. Therefore, he “weaponized” them against her, she said.

According to her, Payne’s questionable actions were often “swept under the rug,” with nothing ever being exposed. This motivated her to share her experiences with the singer in a book titled “Looking Forward.” The book is based on a girl who falls in love with a pop star.

In the clip, Henry further described some of Payne’s behavior as “disgusting” and claimed he knew he would get away with it. In addition, Payne allegedly used to speak negatively about his former bandmates but would still attend their concerts, seemingly to draw attention to himself.

In the months leading up to his tragic death at 31, he was reportedly grappling with personal turmoil, particularly related to his strained relationship with Henry.

A source close to the situation revealed that Payne “was extremely overwhelmed by all of the legal issues” surrounding his ex, adding to the pressure he was already facing.

As news of his legal struggles surfaced, many blamed Henry for Payne’s problems, especially criticizing her for writing a book about their relationship. Some accused her of trying to profit from the situation.

“She seems awful. Took every chance she could to exploit the relationship she had with him,” penned one Facebook user. Another wrote, “I don’t understand her need to make it so public. […] He was suffering from mental illness and addiction. She just threw him under the bus!” Meanwhile, someone else alluded that the lawsuit against Payne may have contributed to his untimely death.

However, Henry pushed back against the backlash, asserting that her motives were not financially driven. “I never needed his money. He never even paid anything for me. I literally paid for everything myself,” she stated.

Just two days before Payne’s passing, Henry made startling revelations during a podcast appearance, sharing that he had eerily predicted his death. After their breakup, he would allegedly message her, often hinting at his struggles by saying, “I’m gonna die. I’m not doing well.”

Despite their strained relationship, Henry expressed that she was always willing to help Payne, no matter the circumstances. She explained that she couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to him, knowing she hadn’t tried to intervene.

In the aftermath of Payne’s death, Henry is reportedly devastated by the news. A source close to her revealed, “Right now she is obviously in shock.”

Liam Payne’s tragic death has left many unanswered questions about the struggles he faced in his final days. As those close to him, including Henry, process the loss, the impact of his untimely passing continues to resonate with fans and loved ones alike.