Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy burst into tears as she spoke candidly in an interview for the first time about the tragic death of the former One Direction star.
Payne, 31, fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina on October 16 last year, with Cassidy having been with him until just two days before the incident when she left to return to the Florida home they shared.
Payne died after suffering multiple injuries which led to an “internal and external hemorrhage”, with his death shocking fans around the world.
In the months following the tragedy, social media influencer Cassidy has kept a low profile, posting heartfelt tributes to her late boyfriend but largely staying out of the public eye.
She attended Payne’s funeral in Buckinghamshire in November, but until now hadn’t taken part in any official interviews.
Breaking her press silence though, the 25-year-old was overcome with emotion as she recalled her final days with Payne.
Liam Payne and girlfriend Kate Cassidy had been together since 2022
Getty
Detailing her reason for heading back to Florida days before Payne’s death, she explained: “I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility.
“We had our dog and obviously I never, ever thought this event would occur. It was a tragic accident and no, I never did think [he might die].
“But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we have travelled separately.”
She went on to tell The Sun she still calls Payne’s phone number to hear his voice in the voicemail greeting.
Cassidy has since left the Florida home the pair rented together and moved back to her hometown in New Jersey.
She also moved her belongings out of the London home they also shared, restarting her life in the US full time.
Cassidy explained to the publication that she heard the horrific news of Payne’s death via one of his friends as she sat with their dog, Nala, scrolling through social media.
She initially thought it had been a cruel hoax but admitted she had a “bad feeling” it may have been true.
Cassidy attempted to call her boyfriend of two years to check on him as the world’s media began to report on the shocking death.
Revealing a heartbreaking detail on Instagram recently, Cassidy reflected on a secret note Payne had written, instructing her not to read it.
She penned: “A few weeks ago, we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our lives together.
“I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said, ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444’.
“Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way we had planned. You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel.”
In numerology, 444 is believed to represent a powerful message of guidance and support from angels.
