Following the tragic death of Liam Payne, 31, the internet has rallied in support of his ex-fiancée Maya Henry, who had recently issued a cease-and-desist order against him.
Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, after reportedly falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The pair, who were engaged in 2020 after dating since 2019, ended their relationship in 2022.
Just days before his passing, on October 6, Henry took to TikTok to reveal that Payne had been obsessively contacting her.
"Ever since we broke up, he messages me, blows up my phone… It's always from different phone numbers too… Also [he] will email me, not only me, but he'll blow up my mom's phone. Is that normal behavior to you?" she shared in the video.
On October 14, 'Daily Mail' reported that Henry had instructed her legal team to send a cease-and-desist letter to Payne for persistently contacting her, her family, and her friends.
A representative from her legal team elaborated, saying, "(She) issued a cease and desist last week to Liam Payne following the emergence of new and concerning information. She has retained attorneys Marco Crawford and Daniel Cerna to represent her. At this time, that is her only comment on the matter."
Since Payne’s death, Henry has faced online hate, with some fans blaming her for the tragedy. In response, many netizens have come out in support of her, condemning the hurtful comments.
As a big One Direction fan, this is truly heart breaking. RIP @LiamPayne 💔 pic.twitter.com/uauFowdiqK
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) October 16, 2024
One user on X stated, "Maya Henry already limiting her IG comments because we have yet to progress as a society and continue to blame victims for speaking up about their abuse. None of this is her fault. You all need to do better."
Another fan defended Henry, writing, "His death is confusing and shocking and extremely tragic for his son/family. He was also an alleged abuser, and those victims deserve 0% of the blame for his death. All that can be true at once!"
Others echoed similar sentiments, with one commenting, "To Maya Henry and every woman who came forward about Liam Payne, we are so proud of you for speaking about your abuse, and no one with a brain blames you for what happened."
to maya henry and every woman who came forward about liam payne, we are so proud of you for speaking about your abuse and no one with a brain blames you for what happened.
— court 🇵🇸 FREE PALESTINE (@freckledbimbo) October 16, 2024
Some were more forceful in their condemnation of those attacking Henry online. One user stated, "You freaks better leave Maya Henry ALONE. She had every right to be mad and speak on it publicly, tragedy or not."
you freaks better leave maya henry ALONE she had every right to be mad and speak on it publicly, tragedy or not
— savannah (@catluvr2008) October 16, 2024
Another remarked, "If anyone comes after Maya Henry and blames her for his death, you’re a sick individual!!!"
if anyone comes after maya henry and blames her for his death, you’re a sick individual!!! https://t.co/E84eyotBDg
— abby ♡s mel (@ajcuntt) October 16, 2024
they act like maya knew he was gonna fucking die like 😭😭
— kaitlyn:) (@buddiebitch) October 17, 2024
Despite the hate directed at her, many fans are standing by Henry and urging others to stop the blame and show compassion.
Liam Payne is survived by his son, Bear Grey, whom he shares with his ex, 'Girls Aloud' singer Cheryl.
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