Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy insists 'I wasn't to blame for his death'

Kate Cassidy admits she's not to blame for Liam Payne's death. The former waitress was with Liam in the days leading up to his devastating death on October 16, 2024. However, just four days before he tragically fell to his death aged 31 on October 16, falling from the balcony of his third floor hotel room, she left Argentina and returned to her home in Florida. He died after suffering multiple traumas leading to an "internal and external haemorrhage".

Now, the 25-year-old has opened up in her first interview as she spoke of the heartache she faced after scrolling through TikTok to be interrupted by a call – informing her Liam had died. But while many may have questioned her decision to leave South America and indeed her partner, Kate has spoken candidly of what has ran through her mind since that earth-shattering day. The social media influencer says she thinks about Liam every second of the day and his death still hasn't sunk in for her. She explained that she had "responsibilities" meaning she had to return from Argentina, before heading back to her home.

"I'm not to blame," she told The Sun. She went on to tell the publication: "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 his death, she has repeatedly been phoning Liam's old phone number just to hear his voicemail greeting. She's also vacated the property that they once rented in Florida and has returned to New Jersey. Although she fell asleep listening to his music, this is no longer a reality for Kate who struggles to listen to his tunes.

She described the late musician as one of the greatest people she'd ever met and didn't care about his fame or staggering fortune. The pair met at a bar in South Carolina in September 2022, with Liam asking for her number then asking her out. For Liam, the attraction was immediate, and he asked for her number straight away. However, their relationship almost didn't take off. Kate gave Liam her phone number and forgot to add +1 to her area code, due to having an American number.

The pair instantly hit it off and Liam delayed his flight back to London following their first date, a game of bowling – with them checking into a hotel for 48 hours. "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,'" she revealed. They had plans to marry and welcome children, with Kate admitting they "definitely," wanted that and had spoken about their future together as their relationship continued to intensify. She says her relationship with Liam was similar to a fairytale and she fave him a chance of "normality" in his hectic life.