Kate Cassidy Responds on Liam Payne’s Death Anniversary

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has revealed how she is spending the anniversary of the late singer’s death on Thursday.

The One Direction star died in Buenos Aires aged 31 after falling from a third floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel exactly one year ago, on October 16, 2024.

Kate, who had been dating Liam for two years, revealed in a TikTok video on Wednesday that she’ll be spending the anniversary on an influencer trip in Miami.

Defending her choice to attend the trip, Kate said although she was reluctant to accept the invitation giving the timing, she said ‘Liam would want me to go’.

She hit back: ‘I feel like no matter what I do, I get commentary. If I make this video, people are going to be like, “Of course she had to make this video”.

‘Or if I didn’t make this video and just went on the trip, people would be like, “What is she doing? How is she not in bed crying?”.

‘After a lot of consideration, I know Liam would want me to go. I’m not going to be doing anything on the 16th, I’ll be here in my apartment.

‘I know for a fact I wouldn’t be able to commit to any plans on the 16th.’

Speaking about her grief one year after his death, Kate said: ‘It’s not going to be the easiest week and I have so many mixed emotions. Grief comes in so many waves.

‘For those who may not know, October 16th is the day that my late partner passed away. For me, I’ve said this multiple times before in the past, I like to stay busy. It keeps my mind positive, it keeps my mind active.

‘Doing nothing for me, lying in bed and just sitting around the house, does absolutely not good things for my headspace.

‘It reminds me of a really dark place I was in last year and I’m finally starting to see the light again in life.

‘I got offered to go on this trip with a brand for two nights, it’s a very wholesome trip, If it was a partying type of trip, I would not be wanting to go. We have like Pilates, brunches, pool side and stuff like that.’

Kate also disclosed that the trip is in Miami, adding: ‘I feel like I wouldn’t want to be travelling on a plane right now or anything.

‘I felt like it was almost meant to be, that this trip happened to be a 20-minute drive from my apartment.’

On Tuesday, Kate shared an emotional video to mark the anniversary of the last day she saw the singer alive.

She fought back tears as she remembered leaving her boyfriend in Argentina, where they had spent two weeks together, and sharing ‘a long heartfelt goodbye’ ahead of her flight home to the US.

‘One year ago. today on October 12th was the last day that I spent with Liam and I come on here not to cry,’ she told fans.  

‘I feel honestly extremely numb today. I woke up. I’ve actually weirdly never felt I feel like this numb. I actually think somebody could slap me across the face and I wouldn’t even be fazed.’

‘So if I don’t seem like I have a ton of emotions that is why. but I wanted to make this video because I wanted to express how important it is to really remind your loved ones how much you love them. I know I always say it But you never know what tomorrow brings.’

She went on to detail her last moments with Liam, explaining: ‘The last day that I was with Liam in Argentina before I left, the car was in the driveway. I was sitting on the couch just expressing to him how much I’m gonna miss him, how much I love him.’

‘Honestly, it’s so weird to look back at because it was such a long heartfelt goodbye.’

Her voice breaking, Kate added: ‘He looked at me and he said, “Kaitlin, you’re gonna miss your flight, you’re acting like this is the last time you’re ever gonna see me again.”‘

‘And little did I know, it literally was the last time I got to see him. I’m, so so glad that me and Liam had that last goodbye the way it was.

She ended the video by telling fans: ‘Just remember you never know what tomorrow brings and tell your loved ones that you love them. Hold them a little bit extra closer today. Bye guys.’

Kate left Argentina early after the couple’s trip was extended, previously revealing that she returned home to care for the couple’s rescue dog Nala. 

A probe into the death of Liam remains ongoing nearly a year on.

His medical cause of death was previously confirmed to be ‘polytrauma’, a term which means a person has multiple traumatic injuries to their body. 

In the aftermath Liam’s friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, hotel operator Gilda Martin and receptionist Esteban Grassi faced manslaughter charges, although these were later dropped.

Hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra, 22, and waiter Braian Paiz, 25, have been charged with supplying cocaine to the singer.

However, a trial date has not been set for the two suspects, as Argentinian authorities continue to wade through 800 hours of CCTV footage, mobile phones and laptops. 

Although Liam’s cause of death was determined to be multiple external and internal trauma injuries, a toxicology report found there were traces of cocaine, alcohol and prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his death. 

The X Factor star had been in Buenos Aires for a holiday with Kate where they attended his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert. 

Kate flew back to the US four days before his passing, while Liam chose to remain in Argentina by extending his vacation. 

It has been alleged he turned to alcohol and substances, with allegations he was booted out of the Palacio Duhau, Park Hyatt, for disturbing guests, before he booked into the CasaSur Palmero Hotel. 

Eye-witnesses also alleged, just hours before his passing, the singer was ‘behaving erratically’, with the One Direction star appearing to be carried from the lobby by hotel staff in CCTV footage. 

Shortly before 5pm, the hotel manager had called Argentinian officials alleging Liam was under the influence and damaging his room, while also expressing worries the pop star would cause himself harm. 

Moments later, a loud bang was heard from the hotel’s courtyard where Liam was found. Another call was made for an ambulance. 

His death sparked global grief amongst fans of his music career, with fans holding vigils in the UK, US, Argentina and further afield.