Kate Cassidy, girlfriend of the late Liam Payne, is grappling with immense guilt following the tragic loss of the One Direction star. Just days after she left Argentina, Payne fell from the third-story balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, leading to his untimely death.
“She did what she needed to do at the time,” a friend of the influencer exclusively told The Post. “She had no idea what was going to happen.”
In an emotional statement shared through a close friend, Cassidy revealed her struggle to come to terms with the decision to leave Payne behind in Buenos Aires. “She did what she needed to do at the time,” the friend told The Post. “She had no idea what was going to happen. I can tell you that her decision will haunt her for the rest of her life.”
The couple had initially planned a brief five-day getaway to Argentina, but the vacation unexpectedly stretched into two weeks. Despite enjoying their time together, documented in Payne’s Snapchat posts, Cassidy admitted that she longed to return home to Miami. “She wanted to be home in her own bed with her dog,” the friend explained.
Cassidy, who first became romantically linked to Payne in October 2022, shared a TikTok vlog shortly before the tragedy, expressing her decision to leave Argentina. Her departure came amid growing concerns about Payne’s behavior, with Cassidy suspecting that he had been on a dangerous bender. According to her friend, Cassidy tried to convince Payne to return to Miami with her, but he resisted.
Kate Cassidy is agonizing over leaving boyfriend Liam Payne alone in Argentina before his death on Oct. 16.
“She tried, really. But he wasn’t receptive,” the friend disclosed. “She will forever be the villain for abandoning him, but that’s not what happened.”
The emotional toll of Payne’s passing has been overwhelming for Cassidy, with friends assuring her that she did everything she could. “Everyone in her life is saying that it’s not her fault,” the friend continued. “You can’t babysit a 30-year-old grown man 24/7/365. But she’s not yet in a place to hear that.”
Cassidy’s friend further revealed that before leaving, she felt trapped by Payne’s persistent requests for her to stay longer. “So she tells him she wants to leave, this is after a week. He begs her to stay,” the friend recounted. “She keeps extending her trip, a day, two days. And he just wants her to stay, stay, stay.”
Feeling homesick and emotionally drained, Cassidy ultimately decided to leave Argentina, a decision she now regrets deeply. Her friend described the situation as emotionally overwhelming for Cassidy, who felt as if she were in a “hostage situation” by the end of the extended trip.
Payne’s tragic fall has left a profound impact on Cassidy, with the weight of her decision bearing heavily on her conscience. “She feels bad,” the friend said. “But she’s not ready to hear that it wasn’t her fault.”
“I can tell you that her decision will haunt her for the rest of her life,” Cassidy’s pal added.
The loss of Payne has sent shockwaves throughout the music industry, with many still reeling from the sudden tragedy. Payne, who rose to fame as part of the globally successful boy band One Direction, was adored by fans around the world. The singer’s passing has reignited conversations about mental health and the pressures faced by public figures.
Cassidy’s story sheds light on the complexity of relationships under the strain of mental health challenges. Her struggle to balance her own well-being with her desire to support Payne reflects a difficult reality many partners of individuals with mental health issues face.
“You can’t babysit a 30-year-old grown man 24/7/365. But she’s not yet in a place to hear that,” the friend said.
As Cassidy navigates this devastating chapter, the public’s response to her actions will likely remain polarized. Some will empathize with her need to prioritize her own well-being, while others may struggle to understand the intricacies of her situation.
For now, Cassidy continues to mourn Payne’s loss privately, with those close to her offering unwavering support. “She’ll carry this guilt with her forever,” her friend shared. “But she did what she thought was best at the time.”
While the future remains uncertain for Cassidy, one thing is clear: the impact of Payne’s loss will resonate not only with those who knew and loved him but also with fans around the world who continue to mourn the talented artist.