'It Was a Tragic Accident': Liam Payne's Girlfriend Kate Cassidy Reveals Why She Left One Direction Singer Alone at Hotel Before His Shocking Death
Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy reveals why she left him alone in Argentina.
Feb. 5 2025, Published 5:12 p.m. ET
Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has opened up on her decision to leave the troubled One Direction singer alone in Argentina two days before his death, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Cassidy left Payne, 31, alone in Buenos Aires a mere 48-hours before he fell to his death from his third-floor hotel balcony on October 16, 2024.
In a TikTok video she shared chronicling her travel back home to Florida, the 25-year-old said she was ready to go home after the trip was unexpectedly extended for several days.
Cassidy revealed the reason why she left her boyfriend just hours before his death.
Now, Cassidy has spoken out on her decision to leave Payne, which has been criticized by some fans.
She explained: "I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility. We had our dog, and 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 traveled separately."
Fans criticized Cassidy's decision to go home early and leave Payne alone in Argentina.
Since the star's death, Cassidy has kept a low profile and has reportedly moved her belonging out of their shared home in London.
She was seen at Payne's funeral – which was also attended by Simon Cowell, as well his former bandmates, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson – alongside British actor and model Damian Hurley.
Cassidy confessed she's found herself calling Payne's number just to hear his voicemail greeting, cannot bring herself to listen to his music and, moved out of their Florida home to return to New Jersey.
Cassidy said she had a 'responsibility' to get home to their dog and 'never, ever thought this event would occur.'
Cassidy revealed she first heard the tragic news from one of Payne's friends while she was at home with their dog, Nala.
Cassidy was in shock, so much so that she "blacked out."
Initially, she thought it could be a sick prank, but she couldn't let go of the "bad feeling" she had. She even tried calling him, but of course he did not answer. Her mom quickly caught a flight to Florida to be with her daughter.
Cassidy has kept a low profile since Payne's death and attended his funeral with her friend, Damian Hurley.
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While Payne was open about his struggles with addiction, Cassidy is said to still be uncertain of what caused his relapse – and led to his erratic behavior in the hotel lobby hours before his death.
Cassidy said despite Payne's demons, she stood by him because she "loved his soul," and when she left him behind in Argentina, she felt he was in a "good headspace."
After his death, Cassidy shared a touching note the Night Changes singer left him on Instagram.
She wrote in the post: "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 and together forever 444'.
"Liam, I know we'll be together forever, but not in the way we had planned. You'll always be with me. I've gained a guardian angel."
She added: "I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me everywhere I go. Forever yours, Katelyn 444."
