According to People magazine, the Coastal Carolina University alum was fiercely loyal to Payne, despite his alleged ongoing communication with ex fiancée Maya Henry. (The Texan model reportedly recently filed a cease-and-desist order against the troubled singer.)

Payne, who was only 31 at the time, fell from the balcony of his third-story room in CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where he had been staying as a guest.

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