"We have yet to progress as a society"— Internet comes out in support of Maya Henry, condemns hate in wake of Liam Payne's death

As news of Liam Payne's death continues to shock the world, netizens rallied behind ex-fiancée Maya Henry, who reportedly issued a cease-and-desist order to him earlier this week. On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the former One Director member died after an alleged fall from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony.

The pair dated from 2019 to 2022 and were engaged in 2020. On October 6, Henry, a model from Texas, took to her TikTok to claim Payne was obsessively trying to contact her. On Monday, October 14, the Daily Mail reported that the model instructed her legal team to issue a cease and desist letter to the singer for trying to repeatedly contact her and her family and friends.

In light of Payne's death, his fans flooded Maya's socials, with comments blaming her for the death.

Netizens on X were quick to comment in support of Henry, one stating:

"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."

A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @moonlithoax)

Many expressed that while it was shocking to hear of Liam's death, his alleged victims also have a right to speak about the abuse. Here are some comments seen on X:

"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!" one wrote.

"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," another commented.

"you freaks better leave maya henry ALONE she had every right to be mad and speak on it publicly, tragedy or not," @catluvr2008 added.

Others explained it was terrible and sick to blame Maya for his death.

"they act like maya knew he was gonna f**king die like," a user remarked.

"if anyone comes after maya henry and blames her for his death, you’re a sick individual!!!" another added.

"Sending all my love to Maya Henry because people are already being real nasty towards her online, as if her speaking out as a victim of abuse makes her responsible for what happened to Liam," an user stated.

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"Ever since we broke up, he messages me, blows up my phone"— Maya Henry about Liam Payne

Liam Payne and Maya Henry were first linked together in 2018, but they did not officially confirm they were dating until September 2019. At the time, the singer was 26 while Maya was 18. The pair got engaged in August 2020. After a period of brief separation, they got back together but eventually called it quits in May 2022.

A representative from Maya's legal team elaborated on the legal notice issued to the former 1D singer, telling Daily Mail last week that:

"(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."

The notice followed her October 6 TikTok, where she claimed Liam Payne was repeatedly contacting her. Henry explained:

"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?"

According to an October 16 report by People, the singer was "extremely overwhelmed by all of the legal issues" involving Henry.

Earlier this year, Maya Henry debuted her novel, Looking Forward, which allegedly paralleled her relationship with Liam Payne. The book's protagonist, Mallory, is an aspiring model who falls in love with Oliver, a former boy band member.

In the novel, Mallory's fairytale relationship takes a turn as Oliver grows frustrated with his stalled career and slowly turns violent. He has a drug addiction and frequently verbally abuses Mallory. It also addresses topics like abortion, eating disorders, and violence.

In May 2024, Henry told People that the book was "fiction" but "definitely inspired by true events."

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Liam Payne is survived by his son, Bear Grey, who he shares with his ex, Girls Aloud singer, Cheryl.