‘She really kept him in it’: Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy supported him amid recent legal drama, sources reveal

Trigger Warning: This article contains references to death.

Late musician Liam Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, was by his side during the tough times. The latter had been very supportive” during his legal drama with ex-girlfriend Maya Henry, an insider told PEOPLE. The One Direction alum died after falling from a third-floor balcony floor of the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16.

The couple, who had been dating for two years until her death, were first seen together publicly in October 2022. Although they kept their relationship private, Cassidy shared a glimpse of their Instagram romance and rare red carpet appearances.

On Oct. 17, a source told PEOPLE that the Strip That Down crooner was “overwhelmed by all the legal issues” involving his ex-fiancé. In a several TikTok video earlier this month, Henry, who is also the author of the novel Looking Forward, alleged that his ex (Payne) at the time continues to “explode” his phone .

“Also it’s always from different phone numbers. I never know where it’s coming from… He’ll email me too,” she claimed. “Not just me, but he’s going to blow up my mom’s phone. Is this normal behavior for you?” she added. Henry also alleged that Payne “weaponized” her One Direction fandom against her.

“He says he ‘takes advantage of One Direction fans because they’ll always be loyal to him and won’t tell him,'” he added. The author had also issued a cease and desist order against the singer. The former couple got engaged and then called off their relationship in 2022.

Following Payne’s tragic death, several reports have circulated dealing with the details of her cause. According to a preliminary autopsy report, the Steal My Girl singer died from multiple injuries and “internal and external” bleeding caused by his fall. According to PEOPLE, the report was proven legitimate by the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office.

The Night Changes singer is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey, with his ex, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.