Death of Liam Payne: happy news for his ex-partner two months after the tragedy

Two months after Liam Payne's death, his former partner Sophia Smith announced her engagement to James Bridgwood, with whom she has already a one-year-old girl.

© Bestimage Liam Payne's ex-girlfriend, Sophia Smith, has announced her engagement to James Bridgwood, just two months after the One Direction star's tragic passing.

IN BRIEF

• Liam Payne and Sophia Smith began their relationship in 2013 after meeting at school, but split in 2015 despite discussions of marriage.
• Sophia Smith announced her pregnancy with James Bridgwood in December 2024 and agreed to her proposal on Christmas Day of the same year.
• Discover the details of the investigation into the death of Liam Payne, with three suspects charged with serious charges related to his death.

Liam Payne and Sophia Smith, 30, met at school, but their relationship didn't begin until 2013. Their split in 2015 came as a shock to fans, especially after the singer had spoken about talks of marriage shortly before. In an interview with Attitude magazine, Liam Payne confided : “We talked about marriage, but 22 is a little young for us“.

Following this unexpected breakup, the star of One Direction had also declared au Sun On Sunday : “I am absolutely devastated that I broke up with Sophia, but to do things right by someone, sometimes it's better not to do what their heart wants, but to do what is best for them“.

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Liam Payne's death: for the singer's ex, life follows its course

It is not known when Sophia Smith began dating James Bridgwood, but Liam Payne's ex posted their first photo on Instagram in June 2022. In December 2024, she announced her pregnancy by tagging her partner in a photo of her baby bump. Their daughter, Angelina, was born in April 2023.

The influencer followed by more than 800,000 subscribers has revealed on Instagramthat James Bridgwood had proposed to her on Christmas Day. “Yes a million times ❤️💍 25.12.24,” she wrote in the caption of a black-and-white video posted on December 27. It shows Bridgwood kneeling down to present her with a sparkling ring, while their daughter Angelina happily trots along in the background.

Liam Payne's death: three suspects charged

Three people have been charged in connection with the death of Liam Payne, although their identities have not yet been é revealed. According to the prosecutor's office, one of the people charged is a hotel employee who supplied cocaine to the famous singer between October 13 and 16. Another suspect is believed to be a drug trafficker.

In November 2024, Argentine prosecutors charged the suspects with abandoning a person followed by death  and supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics. The autopsy revealed that Liam Payne died from multiple injuries and external hemorrhage. Toxicological tests detected traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescribed antidepressant in his body before his death.