Kate Cassidy had been in Argentina with the singer just days before his death
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has shared a tribute to the former One Direction singer, following his death at the age of 31 in Argentina.
Social media influencer Cassidy had travelled to the South American country with the singer in order to attend his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert, with the 25-year-old travelling back to the US just days before his tragic death.
Local authorities in the capital city of Buenos Aires confirmed the former One Direction member had passed away on 16 October after falling three floors from a balcony at his hotel.
A preliminary post-mortem would later reveal that Payne had died from ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ from injuries sustained from the fall.
(DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Taking to Instagram, Cassidy has now written a lengthy tribute, stating that she had loved Payne ‘unconditionally’ and asked her followers for space to grieve in private.
“Thank you for all the kind words and love that has been sent my way. I have been at a complete loss,” she wrote.
“Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.
“Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”
(Instagram/@kateecass)
Cassidy had begun dating Payne back in 2022, with the influencer previously joking that she had ‘manifested’ the relationship over a decade ago, when she had drawn the ‘Strip That Down’ singer on a lollystick at the age of 10.
She had last posted on social media two days before Payne’s death, explaining her decision to travel back to the states as she was missing home.
“Honestly, I love South America but I hate staying in one place for too long and we were supposed to be there for like five days and it turned into two weeks and I was just like I need to go home,” she said in a vlog shared on 14 October.
Cassidy’s statement follows tributes from Payne’s former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Horan, as well as a post from X Factor boss and former 1D manager Simon Cowell.
Payne’s family have also issued a statement in the wake of his death, which reads: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Featured Image Credit: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images/Darren Gerrish/Getty Images for BFC
