Kate Cassidy has recently spoken out about the untimely death of her boyfriend, One Direction’s Liam Payne, insisting that she is “not to blame”. The former waitress, who was with the singer just days before he suffered a fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina on October 16, 2024, left the country just four days before the incident.
At just 31, Liam died after suffering injuries that caused “internal and external haemorrhage”. In an emotional first interview since the ordeal, 25-year- old Kate revealed how she came across the devastating news of Liam’s passing on TikTok followed by a confirmation call.
The social media influencer opened up about the challenging times she has faced since losing Liam. Struggling with his loss daily and still in shock, Kate divulged to The Sun: “I’m not to blame,” making it clear that her return to Florida was driven by “responsibilities”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
She continued: “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.”
Since the tragic loss of Liam, Kate has found herself dialling his old phone number just to listen to his voicemail greeting. She’s since left the Florida home they shared and gone back to her New Jersey roots. While she once drifted off to the sound of his music, Kate now struggles to play his songs.
She remembers the late musician as one of the most remarkable people she’s ever met, pointing out that his fame and fortune were never important to her. Their story began in a South Carolina bar in September 2022, where Liam was instantly taken with her.
Despite nearly losing touch when Kate forgot to include the ‘+1’ in her American phone number, their connection was instant. After their initial date at a bowling alley, Liam delayed his flight back to London and they spent two days together.
“We were lying in bed watching a movie, and he said ‘Would you like to be my girlfriend and would you want to move in with me? Like, I really love you’ ” Kate revealed.
The couple had dreams of marriage and starting a family, with Kate admitting that they “definitely,” wanted this and had talked about their future as their bond grew stronger. She reflects on her time with Liam as something out of a fairy-tale, offering him a slice of “normality” in his otherwise hectic life.