One of the biggest shocks to the music industry in 2024 was Liam Payne’s untimely death. The One Direction star, 31, tragically fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. So far five people have been charged in connection with his death by Argentinian police.
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His girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy, was with him just days before his passing but had returned to their Florida home. There had been multiple questions regarding her early return to the States with many even suggesting the couple broke up. For months, Kate remained silent, but she has now broken her silence in her first exclusive interview with The Sun.
Liam Payne’s girlfriend breaks silence on his death
In her first public interview since the tragedy, Kate expressed her deep grief and addressed the criticism she faced for leaving Argentina shortly before Liam’s death. The 25-year-old revealed how difficult it has been to process losing the love of her life. She said:
It still doesn’t feel fully real for me that he’s not here. I’m trying to be the best I can be, but I feel like my life has changed so much. I think about Liam every second of every day.
Kate—who believes Liam’s fall was an accident and not suicide—said she supported him ‘through thick and thin.’ Reportedly, she had planned to marry him as she told the publication:
Love is so optimistic, and you just hope that everything will work out in the end. Obviously, if I knew, if I could see into the future, I would never have left Argentina.
Why did Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate leave him in Argentina?
Kate’s decision to leave Argentina just days before Liam’s death has been the subject of intense scrutiny. Many people have accused her of abandoning him during a crucial time, but she has now addressed these claims directly.
Addressing online speculation and conspiracy theories, she emphasised that her departure from Argentina was not due to a breakup or argument but to take care of their rescue dog, Nala. She shared:
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 young). But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we have travelled separately. I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did.
She also shared that when she left, Liam appeared to be in a good mental state, and there was no indication that he was struggling. She said:
Liam was in such a good headspace when I left Argentina. We were in such a great place, just full of love; he was so happy and positive. And I just can’t even believe the way things truly ended.
It is understood that Liam had relapsed on his vacation. When asked if she knew anything that might have caused the relapse, Kate revealed she had no answer for it adding:
With addiction, you just never know when it’s going to come out. It’s a serious issue that is under-valued and under-spoken about.
Kate reveals the moment she got to know about Liam’s death
Kate also shared heartbreaking details of the moment she learned about Liam’s death. She received a phone call from one of Liam’s friends while she was at home scrolling TikTok. She recalled:
That moment, it’s like blank; it’s blacked out in my head. I didn’t believe it at first. I thought it was just a rumour. Or something that somebody made up just to get views. Then instantly I just had a bad feeling in my gut. I was like, ‘Why would somebody make this up? Is this true?’
Kate has struggled to come to terms with the loss. She admitted to calling Liam’s phone just to hear his voicemail. Initially, she found comfort in listening to his music, but she now finds it too painful. The influencer had also planned for their reunion once Liam returned from Argentina and had even decorated their Florida home for Halloween. Her last text to Liam read:
I can’t wait for you to get home and see the house.
She had no way of knowing that it would be the last message she would ever send him.
Since Liam’s death, Kate has moved out of their shared Florida home and returned to New Jersey, struggling to adjust to life without him. She has been seeing a grief therapist and admits that the loss still feels surreal.
How did Kate and Liam meet?
Kate and Liam first crossed paths in September 2022 while she was working as a waitress in Charleston, South Carolina. At the time, Liam was on a road trip across the US with friends. Their connection was immediate, leading Liam to extend his stay in the US for a few extra days.
The pair spent the following two days together in a hotel before Liam eventually returned to London. They were first spotted together in public in October 2022 at a Halloween party in London, sparking romance rumours. As their relationship progressed, Kate and Liam became inseparable, frequently travelling between the UK and the US to spend time together.
Kate told The Sun:
From the moment I met Liam, I genuinely believed we were soulmates; he was the most humble, charming, normal person you could ever hope to come across and genuinely one of the best people I’ve ever met in my life.
That he won’t be there with me to navigate through this life, that I’ll have to deal with this without him by my side ... it’s really hard. You don’t think about the worst possible thing that can happen.
On February 5, 2025, Kate took to Instagramto address her interview to her fans, acknowledging their grief and need for closure. She wrote:
The past few months have been truly heartbreaking. I keep hoping I'll wake up and this was all just a bad dream. Most days I feel numb and broken. The weight of it all feels unbearable.
However, after receiving thousands of messages from Liam's fans seeking clarity during this devastating time, I wanted to share an insight into the relationship with the love of my life.
This is my first ever interview while I navigate the pain of losing Liam, so please bear with me as I share my experience, which I hope will be received with compassion and understanding.
Read more:
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Sources used:
The Sun: Liam Payne’s girlfriend sobs & reveals why she left him in Argentina days before death but insists ‘I’m not to blame’
