Kate Cassidy has posted some heartfelt words in the wake of the death of her boyfriend and former One Direction star Liam Payne, in which she revealed they were planning on getting married next year.
Payne died aged 31 on October 16, after falling from his third-storey hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Taking to social media a week after his death, Kate 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 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 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.’
Kate then opened up about Liam’s plans to get engaged to her within the next year, a wish he wrote down just a few weeks before his death.
‘A few weeks ago we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our life together,’ she said.
‘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.”‘
After the news of Payne’s death, One Direction stars have spoken out, with many other famous faces and friends saying how ‘kind’ the singer was, as others simply shared their shock and condolences, while fans have sobbed at vigils around the world.
Others have called for better protection for young musicians, as Payne rocketed to fame at the age of 16 on the X Factor, and previously opened up about struggling to deal with his boyband stardom.
Kate’s post comes after it was revealed Payne’s toxicology report is still being finalised, and his body may not be returned to the UK and his family for some time yet.
Payne’s father Geoff arrived in the Argentina capital at the weekend to organise repatriations to bring his son’s body back to the UK.
An official told Associated Press that initial results from the toxicology report suggested cocaine was in Payne’s system at the time of his death.
Several sources have informed various outlets that a concoction of drugs was found in the singer’s system at the time of his death.
Sources told ABC that the substances found inside the singer included ‘pink cocaine’. The recreational drug is a combination of methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and others – as well as cocaine, crack, and benzodiazepine.
Police in Buenos Aires have said a preliminary autopsy suggests Payne died from multiple injuries sustained in his fall that led to ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ after falling from his hotel room balcony.
Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kate and Payne dated for two years, having first appearing as a suspected item in October 2022 and making their red carpet debut two months later.
Payne, who welcomed a son called Bear with Cheryl in 2017, was posting from Argentina with Kate in the weeks leading up to his death.
Kate also posted an initial statement last week, in which she confessed to being at a ‘complete loss’ following his death, adding that she loved him ‘unconditionally and completely’.
‘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,’ she said.