Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has opened up about their final days together in her first interview since his death.
The former One Direction star died aged 31 on October 16 after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Kate, 25, posted a devastating statement after the news of his death, saying ‘[her] heart is shattered in ways [she] can’t put into words’, and revealing that they had ‘planned to marry’ in the next year.
She has since begun to return to social media, and has now given her first interview, explaining why she left Buenos Aires to go back to their home in Miami, Florida, two days before his death.
‘Love is so optimistic, and you just hope that everything will work out at the end. Obviously if I knew, if I could see into the future, I would never have left Argentina,’ she told The Sun.
The influencer explained she’d returned to their home to look after their rescue dog, Nala.
She said: ‘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 added: ‘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.’
She went on to say that she ‘genuinely believed we were soulmates’, calling Payne ‘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,’ she continued. ‘You don’t think about the worst possible thing that can happen.’
Recalling their final moments together, Kate said Payne ‘was in such a good headspace’, when she left Buenos Aires, saying: ‘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’s genuinely insane to me how things can just be taken away from you so quickly in life, you never truly know what tomorrow will bring, you never know.’
Paying tribute to Payne after his death, Kate wrote directly to him, saying: ‘I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now.
‘You brought so much happiness and positivity to everyone – millions of fans, your family, friends, and especially me. You are so incredibly loved.’
She added: ‘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. Your energy was contagious, lighting up every room you walked into.’
In November, Payne’s funeral took place in Buckinghamshire and was attended by Cheryl, the mother to his son Bear, as well as fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina is continuing to investigate the circumstances around Payne’s death at the Casa Sur Hotel.
Five people have been charged over his death, including the singer’s friend Roger Nores, the hotel’s manager, and a receptionist – who were all accused of manslaughter.
Two others, a hotel employee and a waiter, have been charged with supplying cocaine, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office previously said in a statement.
A hearing was held by Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in December to ascertain how Payne died. It has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6.
Nores has made a legal complaint in the US against Payne’s father, Geoff Payne – claiming ‘false’ sworn declarations to Argentine officials.
Court documents filed in Florida in January claim the pair had a ‘dear mutual friendship’ but insisted he ‘never had a legal duty of care’ towards him.
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy reveals why she left Argentina before his death
