Liam Payne Was ‘Extremely Overwhelmed’ by Legal Issues with Ex Maya Henry Before His Death at 31 (Exclusive)

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.

“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.

Photos obtained by the Daily Mail alleged to be of his hotel room show what appears to be extensive drug paraphernalia and a smashed television.

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.