Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy says they planned to get married

Liam Payne died aged 31 from a balcony fall in Argentina

Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy in 2013. (Getty)
Liam Payne was dating Kate Cassidy when he died. (Getty)

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has revealed they had planned to tie the knot next year before the former One Direction star died last week.

She said on Instagram: "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.'" Cassidy also shared in her post that the numbers 444 mean the sequence of angels.

Last week, she broke her silence to say she had been at a "complete loss" after the star's death and that she would love him for the rest of her life.

Payne died of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” as a result of a fall from a third floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a post-mortem examination report has said.

Kate Cassidy and Liam Payne pictured in January 2023. (Getty)
Kate Cassidy and Liam Payne pictured in January 2023. (Getty)

Cassidy has shared a series of meaningful photographs of them together, including: one of them at dinner, on a hike, on holidays, at a wedding, with their dog Nala and sharing a kiss. There was also a photograph of the note which revealed their hopes to get married next year.

She said her heart was "shattered" and that she was at a loss for words over her boyfriend's death because he was her very best friend and the love of her life.

In full, Cassidy wrote: "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 me so much happiness and positivity to everyone, millions 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 are 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 & 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."

Tributes left for Liam Payne. (Getty)
Tributes left for Liam Payne. (Getty)

In the wake of Payne's death, Cassidy called him her "angel" and said that she had loved him "unconditionally and completely".

"Thank you for all the kind words and love that has been sent my way," she wrote in her moving tribute.

"I have been at complete loss. Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you'll give me the space to navigate this in private."

She added: "Liam my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely."

Kate Cassidy has posted a message on Instagram following Liam Payne's death. (Kate Cassidy Instagram)
Kate Cassidy has posted a message on Instagram following Liam Payne's death. (Kate Cassidy Instagram)

"I will continue to love you for the rest of my life," Cassidy said. She ended her post by writing: "I love you Liam."

She added the number "444" to the bottom, which is often referred to as being an "angel number" in numerology.

Cassidy had been with Payne in Buenos Aires and was seen in some of his final social media posts, with one clip showing them having breakfast together and joking about getting up at 1pm. However, she left to head back to the US in the days before he died.

She had posted a clip on TikTok telling her followers that the trip had lasted for longer than planned and that she was keen to get back home.

Liam Payne and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy at Niall Horan's concert. (Snapchat)
Liam Payne and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy at Niall Horan's concert. (Snapchat)

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Cassidy, who had been romantically linked to Payne since 2022, said: "I was so ready to leave, honestly, love South America but I hate staying in one place for too long. We were supposed to be there for like, five days. Turned into two weeks and I was just like, ‘I need to go home'."

Cassidy also shared that her seat number on the flight home from Argentina was 1D, and told her fans that she had taken a neck pillow with her because she had given the Squishmallow cuddly toy she normally used to Payne.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy attend The Fashion Awards 2022 at the Royal Albert Hall on December 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy on the red carpet in 2022. (Stephane Cardinale - Corbis via Getty Images)

A picture of Payne and Cassidy together was among the last snaps the pop star shared before he died. The mirror selfie showed the pair in swimwear but was not from their trip to Argentina, as Cassidy previously posted it on Instagram over a year ago when she wished the singer a happy birthday.

For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.