Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy shared intimate details about the One Direction star’s life before his tragic death on Oct. 16, 2024.
Cassidy, 25, broke down in tears during her interview with The Sun published Feb. 5 and said they shared a “fairytale romance.” She said she planned to marry the singer in the future. Cassidy described their final days together, saying that Payne seemed happy and there were no signs of trouble. She spoke out about the circumstances leading up to Payne’s death and weighed in on his mental state when she unknowingly said goodbye to him for the last time.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Liam Payne attends The Fashion Awards 2022 Pre-Ceremony Drinks at the Royal Albert Hall on December 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/BFC/Getty Images for BFC)
On the topic of his death and Payne’s final moments, she said, “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.”
Roger Nores, Payne’s friend, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Payne’s death. Cassidy told The Sun she is unable to say much due to the ongoing investigation. She could not confirm if she had spoken to Nores since Payne’s death.
Cassidy was asked what caused Payne to relapse and take drugs just prior to his death, to which she replied, “I don’t think I want to answer that because I literally wouldn’t even know.”
Cassidy debunked rumors that she abandoned Payne and clarified by saying they were happy and she did not leave Argentina due to a fight.
“I wish I’d stayed,” she said, explaining that she left Payne in Argentina to go tend to their rescue dog, Nala. She pushed back against critics who blamed her for leaving him alone by saying, “I’m not to blame.”
Cassidy reflected on the final moments of her boyfriend of two years and made it clear that she does not believe he would have committed suicide.
“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,” the 25-year-old said.
“I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did,” she told The Sun. “It still doesn’t feel fully real for me that he’s not here.”
AMERSHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Kate Cassidy attends the funeral for singer Liam Payne, former member of One Direction, on November 20, 2024 in Amersham, England. Former One Direction star Liam Payne’s private funeral in Amersham has been widely anticipated to draw celebrities and fans alike, wishing to pay their final respects. The singer died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) Getty Images
Cassidy said she still calls Payne’s phone to listen to his voice on his voicemail greeting but admitted she is no longer able to listen to his music. “Maybe one day, but not right now,” she told The Sun.
“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.”
Her final photograph of Payne was captured on her last morning in Argentina, and is a photo of him atop a horse. “He looks so happy,” she said. (RELATED: Police Formally Charge Five People In Investigation Of Liam Payne’s Death: REPORT)
Cassidy had used significant time and money decorating their home for Halloween prior to Payne’s death. Her last text to him read, “I can’t wait for you to get home and see the house.”
