Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy emerges in public for the first time since posting about her grief for One Direction star after his tragic balcony fall
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has been seen in public for the first time since posting about her grief for the One Direction star after his tragic death.
Ms Cassidy, 25, left Argentina two days before the singer plunged 45ft to his death, aged 31, from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last Wednesday.
The actress this weekend was spotted in Florida picking up dog food for the pooch she shared with Payne.
Ms Cassidy walked along the street with two pals while holding a bag under each arm.
She and Payne had originally flew to Buenos Aires to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert on October 4, but he remained in the country after his girlfriend flew home on October 14.
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has been spotted for the first time since the One Direction star’s tragic death
The actress this weekend was spotted in Florida picking up dog food for the pooch she shared with Payne
On Friday she broke her silence to pay an emotional tribute to Payne. The post on her Instagram read: ‘Thank you for all of the kind words and love that has been sent my way.
‘I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.’
‘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.’
Ms Cassidy and Payne first started dating in October 2022, and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards later that year.
The pair then put an end to split rumours by enjoying a date in London in June 2023, and later that year she supported him when he was rushed to hospital with a ‘serious kidney infection’.
The former One Direction star fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Palmero hotel.
Police and prosecutors and continuing to investigate the tragedy which is being treated as an ‘inconclusive death’.
A post-mortem examination has determined that he died from multiple injuries.
Kate Cassidy (right) and the singer originally flew to Buenos Aires to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan ‘s concert on October 4
Kate and Liam first started dating in October 2022, and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards later that year
Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy watching the action on Centre Court Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Day 10, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, UK – 12 Jul 2023
Lead investigator, Prosecutor Marcelo Roma, has called for histopathological, biochemical and toxicological studies to be carried out, to confirm whether the musician was drugged and intoxicated.
With those results expected to take between 10 to 15 days, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office is currently treating his death as ‘inconclusive’, it has emerged.
His father Geoff has travelled to the Argentine capital to visually confirm the body is his son’s and to arrange for its repatriation back to the UK once it is released by the authorities. His funeral is expected to take place in November.
Today two workers at the hotel where Payne fell to his death are being investigated for supplying the star with drugs in the days leading up to the tragedy.
The men are accused of smuggling them into the singer’s suite at the hotel.
A cleaner and another member of staff are said to have hidden the drugs in a Dove soap box which detectives found in Payne’s room following his death.
Liam Payne with fans in Argentina in the days leading up to his death
Liam Payne pictured next to a lift in the Casa Sur Hotel lobby at 4.28pm on Wednesday – shortly before his death, which is currently being treated as ‘inconclusive’
Fans of Liam Payne cry during a memorial gathering at Santa Ana Square in Madrid yesterday
White powder, crystals, tablets and other paraphernalia were discovered in the third-floor suite.
Police have sent the chemicals – believed to be cocaine and crack cocaine – for analysis.
Management at CasaSur, in the upmarket district of Palermo, are understood to have been made aware of the unusual behaviour of the unnamed men and dismissed one member of staff.
Detectives have also questioned them about their possible role in Payne’s death.
‘There were two guys at the hotel that were giving Liam drugs,’ a close friend of Mr Payne has revealed.
‘They sent taxis out to collect packages for him. One of the guys was working in the cleaning department. After Liam died, they noticed that one taxi was sent to the cleaner’s home address.
‘The hotel manager asked him why the taxi had gone to his home and when he couldn’t give an explanation he was fired.
‘The cleaner and another member of staff have been interviewed by the police.’
Fans gather during a tribute for Liam Payne at Cathedral Gardens in Manchester yesterday
A mourner looks up the sky during a candlelit vigil for Liam at Cathedral Gardens in Manchester
A Liam supporter holds a candle during a tribute for the former One Direction star in Manchester
Fans gather during a tribute for Liam at Cathedral Gardens in Manchester
The friend added: ‘Liam was doing everything to stay clean but as soon as he got to the hotel these people were offering him alcohol and drugs.’
Representatives of the CasaSur Hotel have so far declined to comment.
Yesterday emotional fans joined candlelit vigils across the globe to remember Payne.
Heartbroken fans came together throughout the day to pay their respects, including one at the Peter Pan Statue in Kensington Gardens.
Photos showed sobbing fans crowding around candles and balloons as they said goodbye to their idol.
Devastated fan Victoria Cardoso, who once met Payne in Westfield shopping centre, told MailOnline: ‘The pain that we’re feeling is nothing compared to what his family members are feeling.’
She added: ‘It’s unbearable and […] my heart breaks for all of them.’
Recounting the time she met hime while out shopping in London, Ms Cardoso said: ‘I wasn’t expecting it, was just completely out of the blue.
‘Yeah, I had a good 10 to 15 minute interaction with him. He was so different.
‘In person, he’s so humble and he’s obviously just a normal guy and he was absolutely beautiful and charming and friendly, warm.’
Ms Cardoso, who was one of thousands to join the vigils, moved to the UK from Brazil and said she met Payne within six months of living here.
Mourners leave candles and messages during a tribute for Liam in Manchester
Emotional fans hold a candle during a tribute for Liam in Manchester
Grieving Londoners gather with balloons next to the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Garden
Fans gather to pay tribute to Liam surrounded by candles in Paris, France
Mourners gather around candles to pay tribute to Liam in Treptower Park in Berlin, Germany
Candles are lit as fans pay tribute to the former One Direction star in Treptower Park in Berlin, Germany
Pictures and candles are placed as grieving supporters gather to pay tribute to Liam in Berlin, Germany
‘I asked him, ”can I touch your tattoos?” And I just touched his arm and I was crying,’ she said.
‘He was like, ”no, don’t cry”.
‘I was like, ”you’re so beautiful”. He was like, ”thank you, so are you”. Yeah, it was such a warm interaction.
‘He was with his parents as well. So I got to meet Karen and Geoff as well.’
The super fan added: ‘Actually when I saw him I couldn’t even speak.
He was like, ”darling, please, please please don’t make a big scene” and stuff like that.
‘I’m so so thankful that I was able to experience that before this happened.’
The event in Kensington Gardens was held ‘in memory of Liam’ and to ‘honour his shining spirit and unforgettable impact’.
Bereaved attendees brought flowers, letters, drawings as well as One Direction memorabilia to lay under a picture of the star. Some came in groups and hugged and held each other as they mourned his loss.
