Liam Payne’s girlfriend has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late boyfriend – saying they were to be married within the year.
The singer sparked an outpouring of grief when he fell 45ft to his death from a hotel balcony last Wednesday at the age of 31.
Alongside a photo of the couple embracing in black and white, Kate Cassidy, 25, said that her heart was ‘shattered’.
Calling Liam her ‘best friend, the love of my life’, she spoke lovingly of his ‘contageous’ energy, as she said that she is struggling to ‘figure out how to live’ without him.
She explained that the pair had written messages to each other as they dreamt of their future together – writing notes that they were manifesting.
His, which he asked her not to open, pledged his hope that they would marry within the year and be ‘together forever’.
And in a loving detail, he added the numbers 444 – which Kate has been using to sign off her tributes to him.
She says it represents the favourite number sequence of the angels, which reminds you that there is always someone there to support you when you are feeling down.
In a series of photos posted alongside her message, she shared sweet snapshots of their time together – posing wrapped up in the snow, wearing Minnie Mouse ears at Disney Land and playing with their puppy.
Ms Cassidy, 25, left Argentina two days before Liam’s death in Buenos Aires, where they had originally flown to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert on October 4.
The former One Direction star fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Palmero hotel in a tragedy which is being treated as an ‘inconclusive death’.
A post-mortem examination has determined that he died from multiple injuries.
Posting on Instagram, she revealed their idyllic evening, now touched with tragedy.
She wrote: ‘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”
‘I don’t even know where to begin. My heart is shattered in ways I can’t put into words.
‘I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now.
‘You brought so much happieness and positivity to everyone – milions of fans, your family, friends and especially me. you are so incredibly loved.
‘You are – because I can’t say were – my best friend, the love of my life, and everyone you touched felt just as special as I did. Your energy was contagious, lighting up every room you walked into.
‘None of this feels real, and I can’t wrap my head around this new reality of not having you here. I’m struggling to figure out how to live in a world without you by my side.
‘Together, we got to be kids again, always finding joy in the smallest things.
‘Liam, you had the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit. It feels like I’ve lost the best part of myself.
‘I can’t imagine a day without your laughter and love. You brought so much light into my life.
‘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.
‘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’
‘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.
‘I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me everywhere I go.’
Kate and Liam 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 last year, and later that year she supported him when he was rushed to hospital with a ‘serious kidney infection’.
One image – of Liam and Kate playing with their beloved rescue dog Nala – showed his hopes that they could one day make up a ‘nice and loving family’.
The troubled musician had adopted her just a month before his death, describing the encounter which led to the adoption as a ‘meet and greet with a couple doggos’.
Speaking of his furry friend, he added: ‘I really love her. She is so cute. She is a tiny new member of the family for a while.
‘We’re going to foster her for a while and get her really nice for a loving family I think. But we might be the nice family.’
Kate was seen out in public for the first time this weekend, picking up dog food for their pet.
She walked along the street with two friends while holding a bag under each arm.
On Friday the influencer 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.’
The singer’s father Geoff has travelled to the Argentine capital to 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.
It was announced on Sunday that 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.
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.
This weekend emotional fans joined candlelit vigils across the globe to remember Payne.
Heartbroken devotees 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 : ‘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.
‘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.