While fans across the world are slowly coming to terms with the tragic death of One Direction’s Liam Payne, his girlfriend Kate Cassidy is grappling with the loss of the man she will love “unconditionally and completely” for “the rest of [her] life.”
Only four days before his fatal fall, Cassidy left Payne behind in Argentina and returned to her home in Florida, saying she “hates staying in one place for too long.”
The social media influencer was recently spotted for the first time since her boyfriend’s death and fans are expressing a deep concern for the woman who looks “gutted,” reminding her that “it’s not your fault.”
In the months leading up to Liam Payne’s death, the former member of One Direction was jet-setting around the world with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who he reportedly started dating in October 2022.
The couple traveled to Italy, London and France in August, Greece in September and their last vacation together ended on October 12, when Cassidy, 25, returned home to Florida, leaving Payne behind in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
On October 14, the social media influencer shared a TikTok clip, explaining why she decided to head home.
“I was so ready to leave,” Cassidy said in the video shared October 14. “Honestly, love South America but I hate staying in one place for too long. And we were supposed to be there for, like, five days, turned into two weeks.”
“I was just like, ‘I need to go home…I was so happy to be home.” The social media influencer adds, “It was so relieving.”
Only two days later, her world was completely shattered when the man she loved “unconditionally” plunged to his death from the third-floor balcony of the hotel room he was staying in the Argentinian capital.
Two days after Payne’s October 16 death, Cassidy spoke out for the first time in an Instagram Story.
“I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days have felt real,” she wrote. “I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.”
Cassidy adds, “Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”
On October 20, Cassidy was seen for the first time since Payne died, picking up pet supplies with two friends at her side.
The woman, who is frequently seen in full glam, was wearing gray baggy sweatpants, an oversized t-shirt and had no makeup covering her naturally beautiful face. She was seen walking Nala, who according to the Daily Mail is the foster dog rescued by the couple weeks before Payne died.
Yet it wasn’t the dog or her casual attire that captured the attention of fans. It was the pain openly expressed on her face.
Online users were generous with their love, empathizing with Cassidy and offering their support to the woman they say looks “gutted.”
“My heart is breaking for her…she looks so exhausted,” one user writes. A second comments, “She is devastated and heartbroken at the same time. I can’t even imagine what she is feeling.”
A third shares, “I can’t even imagine how broken she is. So much happened in such a short time.”
Other netizens urge Cassidy to let go of any blame she feels for leaving Payne alone in Argentina: “She looks sad; the guilt she must be feeling right now, wouldn’t have left him alone and even more so in those distressing circumstances!” A second user shares, “She looks miserable. Prayers for her and the guilt she must be feeling.”
“It’s not your fault, K,” offers a third.
Agreeing with that sentiment, another adds, “[It’s] obvious how you were the best for him, keeping him safe for as long as you could and making him [smile] every time…it’s not your fault.”
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