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.

Moreover, just days before his death, his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, lodged a legal accusation against him. 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.

However, the duo called off their engagement in 2022, nearly a year after they had rekindled their relationship. Payne’s representative confirmed the breakup at the time, marking the close of another chapter in their on-again, off-again romance.

In a candid TikTok video the week before the legal action, Henry shared details about Payne’s behavior. “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.

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.

“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.

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 going to 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, despite everything, she couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to him and knowing she hadn’t tried to intervene.

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.