Liam Payne’s Girlfriend Kate Cassidy Remembers Singer as ‘My Angel’: ‘I Will Continue to Love You’

Liam Payne‘s girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy, has spoken out for the first time following the 31-year-old singer’s death.

On Friday (Oct. 18), two days after Payne suffered a fatal fall from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Cassidy thank supporters via Instagram Stories for “all the kind words and love” sent her way in the past 48 hours. “I have been at a complete loss,” she wrote. “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,” Cassidy continued before addressing Payne directly. “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,” the social media star added. “I love you Liam.”

Cassidy and Payne had been dating for about two years prior to the former One Direction star’s death on Oct. 16. The former would often post videos with her boyfriend on TikTok, and in September, she shared with followers on the app how she and the singer first met while she was working as his server at a bar in Charleston, S.C.

Cassidy was with Payne in Argentina prior to his death, according to videos on her TikTok, as well as Snapchats posted by the musician. The couple had attended Niall Horan’s concert together while in the country.

A few days prior to Payne’s death, Cassidy posted that she was leaving Argentina solo.

Payne died Wednesday around 5:07 p.m., according to the preliminary autopsy report, which also revealed that he appeared to have been alone when he fell. Investigators also believe that the star was potentially under the influence of substances when he died, but are still waiting for further toxicology reports.

Cassidy’s words are the latest message of grief posted by someone close to Payne in the days since his passing. His former One Direction bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson each shared individual tributes in addition to a joint statement on Thursday (Oct 17), while Simon Cowell posted a memorial Friday. Social media has also seen an outpouring of condolences from musicians such as Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora, J Balvin, Cher Lloyd and more, in addition to countless anguished posts from fans.

In a statement to the BBC the day after Payne’s death, the singer’s family also spoke out. “We are heartbroken,” they said. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”