Liam Payne's Girlfriend Kate Cassidy 'Stood by Him' amid His Recent 'Legal Drama' (Exclusive Source)

Payne was battling legal issues related to his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, leading up to his death at age 31 on Oct. 16

Kate Cassidy stood by Liam Payne amid his recent "legal drama" with ex-fiancée Maya Henry, according to a source close to the late musician's girlfriend.

"She had been super supportive of him through all the legal drama and very much stood by him," the insider tells PEOPLE after Payne died following a multi-story fall at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The One Direction alum was first seen with Cassidy in October 2022. Although the two mostly kept their relationship quiet at the time, Cassidy posted snippets of her and Payne's romance, from red carpet photos to casual selfies.

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

On Thursday, Oct. 17, a source with knowledge of the situation involving Henry, 23. told PEOPLE that Payne "was extremely overwhelmed by all of the legal issues."

In a TikTok shared on Oct. 6, Henry, author of the novel Looking Forward, alleged her ex — whom she doesn't name in the book 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," she claimed. "Not only me, but he'll blow up my mom's phone. Is that normal behavior to you?"

"Also messaging my friends," Henry 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.' "

Last week, Henry also issued a cease-and-desist order to Payne after she claimed he repeatedly contacted her, per the Daily Mail.

The one-time couple were engaged before calling off their relationship in 2022.

A preliminary autopsy report revealed that the British singer died from multiple injuries and "internal and external" hemorrhages after the fall, the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office confirmed to PEOPLE.

It's likely Payne was using substances in the time leading up to his death.

Related: Liam Payne of One Direction Dies at 31 After Falling from Hotel Balcony in Argentina

During an investigation on Thursday, Oct. 17, law enforcement found prescription drug clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin), energy supplements and other over-the-counter drugs scattered throughout the space, along with “various items broken.”

A whiskey bottle, lighter and cellphone were later discovered in the hotel’s internal courtyard, where the "Sunshine" singer's body was found. And photos obtained by the Daily Mail alleged to be of his hotel room showed what appears to be extensive drug paraphernalia and a smashed television.

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

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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