Liam Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, is remembering their life together — and future plans — following his sudden death at 31.
“I don’t even know where to begin. My heart is shattered in ways I can’t put into words. I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now,” Cassidy, 25, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, October 23. “You brought so much happiness and positivity to everyone — millions of fans, your family, friends and especially me. You are so incredibly loved.”
Payne and Cassidy began dating in 2022.
Us Weekly confirmed on October 16 that the One Direction alum fell to his death from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A preliminary autopsy report viewed by Us revealed that Payne died from “multiple injuries involving ‘internal and external hemorrhage,’” and was believed to be in a “state of semi or total unconsciousness” at the time of the fall. (Additional investigations have since concluded that Payne had multiple drugs in his system when he died.)
Cassidy traveled to Argentina with Payne but left town ahead of the incident.
“You are — because I can’t say were — my best friend, the love of my life and everyone you touched felt just as special as I did,” Cassidy continued on Wednesday. “Your energy was contagious, lighting up every room you walked into.”
She added, “None of this feels real, and I can’t wrap my head around this new reality of not having you here. I’m struggling to figure out how to live in a world without you by myself. Together, we got to be kids again, always finding joy in the smallest things.”
According to Cassidy, weeks earlier, Payne vocalized his intentions to one day propose. (Payne was previously engaged to Maya Henry, but they split in 2021.)
“Liam, you had the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit. It feels like I’ve lost the best part of myself,” Cassidy recalled in her emotional tribute, “I can’t imagine a day without your laughter and love. You brought so much light into my life.”
The model continued, “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.’”
Cassidy stressed that she knows they will “be together forever, but not in the way we had planned.”
“You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel,” Cassidy concluded. “I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories everywhere I go.”
In addition to Cassidy, Payne is survived by his parents, his two older sisters and his 7-year-old son, Bear Grey. (Payne shared his only child with ex Cheryl Cole.)
